MNN (Web-Desk); Pakistan edged past West Indies by 13 runs in the third and final T20 International at Lauderhill, Florida, sealing the three-match series 2â1.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 189 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. The opening pair, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, laid a commanding foundation with a 138-run partnership.
Farhan top-scored with a blistering 74 off 53 balls, hitting five sixes and three fours, while Ayub contributed a steady 66 from 49 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes.
Farhanâs innings ended in the 17th over, caught by West Indies captain Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph. Hasan Nawaz followed shortly after, dismissed for 15, while Mohammad Haris was run out for just two. Ayubâs resistance ended in the 19th over, caught by Sherfane Rutherford off Jason Holder.
Chasing 190 for victory, West Indies made a promising start, scoring 30 off the first 10 balls from Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz. However, Pakistan’s bowlers gradually regained control.
Jewel Andrew was the first to fall, dismissed for 24 by Haris Rauf. Shai Hope was removed by Nawaz for just 7, and Alick Athanaze stood out with a gritty 60 before being caught off Saim Ayubâs bowling.
Despite late fireworks from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed a half-century (51), West Indies were bowled out of the contest, finishing at 176 for 6. The collapse in the death oversâhighlighted by Roston Chaseâs departure and Holderâs golden duckâleft them short of the target.
The win marked a morale-boosting series victory for Pakistan on foreign soil, especially after a narrow two-wicket defeat in the second match. Pakistan had earlier won the opening game by 14 runs.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both congratulated the national team, lauding their dedication, teamwork, and fighting spirit. In separate statements, they expressed pride in the teamâs performance and voiced optimism for continued success in the future.
The series loss was West Indiesâ second consecutive defeat in T20I series, while Pakistan celebrated a hard-earned triumph in challenging conditions.
