Pakistan need 295 to win series-decider against West Indies

TRINIDAD: Shai Hope scored an unbeaten ton as West Indies set a 259-run target for Pakistan in the third and final Pakistan vs West Indies ODI on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Stadium.

The West Indies captain remained unbeaten on 120 alongside Justin Greaves (43)* to help the hosts post 294/6 in 50 overs.

After opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah struck early, removing West Indies opener Brandon King for five.

Keacy Carty then joined his opening partner, Evin Lewis, and the two stitched a 47-run stand to take the hosts to 57 in 13.5 overs.

However, Abrar Ahmed ended Lewis’s inning on the last delivery of 14th overs, to reduce the hosts to 57/2.

Following his dismissal, captain Shai Hope arrived at the crease to join Carty, who became Ahmed’s second victim after making 17 runs.

Sherfane Rutherford (15) and Hope then shared a 45-run stand, which ended with the former’s dismissal to Saim Ayub.

With the scoreboard showing 113/4 in 30.3 overs, Roston Chase joined hands with Shai Hope to steer the hosts out of trouble in the Pakistan vs West Indies series-decider.

The two batters added 64 runs to the total to stabilised the hosts’ innings.

Chase fell to Naseem Shah after scoring 36 runs, followed by Gudakesh Motie, who was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz for five.

Justin Greaves arrived at the crease with the scoreboard showing 184/6 and stitched a quickfire unbeaten 110-run stand with Shai Hope to help the hosts reach 294 in their 50 overs.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah took two wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub chipped in with a wicket each.

Both teams will look to win the game to seal the three-match Pakistan vs West Indies ODI series, which stands levelled at 1-1.

The tourists have brought in Naseem Shah in place of Shaheen Afridi for the third and final game, while the hosts have rested Jediah Blades for Romario Shepherd.

Pakistan got an upper hand after winning the first ODI, however, the hosts made a comeback in the series after securing victory in the second Pakistan vs West Indies game.

It is worth noting here that the Men in Green are fifth on the ICC ODI rankings, while West Indies sit at the ninth spot in the ODI teams ranking.

Playing XIs

West Indies: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Justin Greaves, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmad.