TAROUBA – Captain Shai Hope’s blazing century and Jayden Seales’ devastating bowling spell powered a memorable West Indies ODI series win over Pakistan in the deciding third match at the Brian Lara Academy on Tuesday.
Seales took six wickets for just 22 runs, the joint second-best figures for a West Indian in men’s ODIs. Hope remained unbeaten on 120, guiding his side to their first West Indies ODI series win against Pakistan since 1991. The hosts sealed victory by their largest margin over Pakistan, bowling them out for only 92 while defending 295.
The turning point came in a dominant 15.2-over phase spread across both innings. Early in the match, the pitch tested the home batters, especially against Pakistan’s slower bowlers. Mohammad Rizwan made smart use of his part-time fifth bowling option to tighten the scoring rate.
West Indies initially focused on preserving wickets rather than chasing a massive total, reaching the 44th over without hitting 200. Then Hope changed gears. He smashed Mohammad Nawaz’s first ball for six to reach a personal milestone, followed by another six that lifted the tempo.
Rizwan brought back Abrar Ahmed, who had bowled economically earlier, but Hope attacked fiercely. Abrar’s over went for 18 runs, and from the other end, Justin Greaves targeted Hasan Ali. Naseem Shah’s reverse swing could not stop Hope, who brought up his hundred with a crisp cover drive, moving to third on West Indies’ all-time ODI hundreds list.
A 21-run over followed, and Hope ended the innings with a lofted shot over backward point. Pakistan’s body language reflected the pressure, with players leaving the field visibly frustrated.
With the ball, Seales ripped through Pakistan’s top order in just 8.2 overs. He had Saim Ayub caught at slip in his first over. Abdullah Shafique mis-hit to mid-on. Mohammad Rizwan fell to a delivery that brushed the off bail. Babar Azam, expected to anchor the chase, was trapped lbw for a single-digit score, leaving Pakistan 23 for four.
The collapse continued as Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Nawaz could only collect singles. Motie and Chase dismissed them quickly, before Seales returned to claim Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali. Abrar Ahmed’s run-out denied him a seventh scalp, but the match was already over.
Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and opted to field. Hope’s 94-ball knock featured 10 fours and five sixes, anchoring West Indies’ 294 for six. Greaves provided crucial support, extending his partnership form from the previous match with Roston Chase.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah removed Brandon King for five, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Evin Lewis for 37 and Keacy Carty for 17. Saim Ayub got Sherfane Rutherford for 15. Chase contributed 36 from 29 balls before Naseem ended his stay.
This West Indies ODI series win will be remembered not only for Hope’s brilliance but also for Seales’ fiery spell that dismantled Pakistan’s batting.
