The West Indies vs Pakistan clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ended in a five-wicket victory for the hosts, levelling the ODI series 1-1. Chasing a revised target of 181 in 37 overs, the Caribbean side got home in 33.2 overs, thanks to key knocks from Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford, supported by captain Shai Hope.
Pakistan, restricted to 171 for seven after rain cut their innings short, faced a determined West Indian chase. The pursuit started shakily when Hasan Ali struck in the second over, dismissing opener Brandon King for just one run. Hasan struck again in the fourth over, removing Evin Lewis for seven off six balls, leaving the scoreboard at 12 for 2 after 3.1 overs.
The early collapse deepened when Keacy Carty fell for 16 off 42 deliveries, giving Abrar Ahmed his first wicket of the West Indies vs Pakistan encounter. At that point, the hosts were in trouble. But Sherfane Rutherford responded with an aggressive counterattack.
Shaheen Afridi was taken for 17 runs in a single over, with Rutherford smashing two boundaries and a six. The score reached 81-3 after 17 overs, keeping the chase alive. The fourth-wicket stand grew stronger as Rutherford and Shai Hope added a brisk 50-run partnership. Abrar Ahmed went for 20 runs in an expensive over during this phase.
The partnership ended when Mohammad Nawaz removed Hope for 32 off 35 balls, which included two fours and a six. The score then read 102 for 4 in 19.2 overs. Rutherford, still aggressive, closed in on his half-century but was dismissed by Nawaz for 45 off 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes.
From there, Roston Chase took control. He, alongside Justin Greaves, guided the West Indies vs Pakistan chase home with an unbeaten 77-run partnership. Chase finished unbeaten on 49 from 47 balls, while Greaves contributed 26 from 31 deliveries.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz claimed two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed picked up one.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings began steadily, with openers reaching 37 without loss in eight overs. But Jayden Seales turned the tide in the ninth over with a double-wicket maiden. He removed Saim Ayub for 23 off 31 balls, caught at third slip, and dismissed captain Babar Azam for a three-ball duck.
Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan tried to rebuild but added only 27 runs before Shafique fell for 26 off 40 balls in the 17th over. Rizwan also struggled, scoring 16 off 38 balls before falling to disciplined West Indian bowling.
At 88-4 in 22 overs, the men in green were under pressure. Hussain Talat’s 31 off 32 balls provided some momentum but ended when he edged Roston Chase to the keeper. Hasan Nawaz played a late cameo, smashing three sixes in his unbeaten 36 off 30 balls. Shaheen Afridi added 11 not out from seven deliveries, pushing the total to 171 for seven.
Jayden Seales led the West Indian attack with 3 for 23 in seven overs. Jediah Blades, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Roston Chase took a wicket each in the West Indies vs Pakistan contest.
The win not only levelled the series but also set up a thrilling decider between the two sides.