Tarouba: West Indies defeated Pakistan by five wickets after achieving a revised target of 181 in 33.2 overs leveled the ODI series 1-1, after rain had limited the visitors to 171 for seven in 37 overs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Sunday.
Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford, alongside valuable contributions from captain Shai Hope, the hosts chased down Pakistan’s total.
Chasing a target of 181, the West Indies lost an early blow when Hasan Ali dismissed opener Brandon King for just one run in the second over.
Hasan struck again in the fourth over, removing the other opener Evin Lewis, who had scored seven runs off six balls, leaving the hosts struggling at 12 for 2 in 3.1 overs.
The Windies’ top order came under further pressure when Keacy Carty was dismissed cheaply for 16 runs off 42 deliveries, handing Abrar Ahmed his first wicket of the match.
However, Sherfane Rutherford then took charge with a fierce batting display.
Shaheen Afridi went for 17 runs, including two boundaries and a six, as Rutherford’s aggressive innings helped stabilise the innings with the team aiming to level the series at 81-3 in 17 overs.
Rutherford continued to dismantle Pakistan’s bowling, benefitting from another expensive over by Abrar Ahmed, who conceded 20 runs during a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The partnership ended when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed captain Shai Hope for 32 runs off 35 balls, including two boundaries and a six, leaving West Indies at 102 for 4 in 19.2 overs.
Sherfane Rutherford looked set to guide the hosts to victory as he approached his fifty but was dismissed by Nawaz, who claimed his second wicket, ending Rutherford’s innings at 45 runs off 33 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes.
As the match slipped away from Pakistan, Roston Chase steadied the innings with crucial runs and was well supported by Justin Greaves.
The pair put together an unbroken 77-run partnership to chase down the target. Chase remained unbeaten on 49 off 47 balls, while Greaves contributed 26 off 31 deliveries.
For the men in green, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz each took two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan’s openers started cautiously, reaching 37 without loss in the first eight overs.
The game shifted when Jayden Seales produced a double-wicket maiden over, dismissing Saim Ayub for 23 off 31 balls, caught at third slip, followed immediately by the wicket of captain Babar Azam for a three-ball duck.
Pakistan were 37-2 at the end of the ninth over.
Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to stabilise the innings but managed only 27 runs together before Shafique was dismissed in the 17th over, scoring 26 off 40 balls with three fours.
West Indies’ disciplined bowling kept the pressure high, eventually removing Rizwan, who struggled to accelerate and scored 16 off 38 balls.
At 88-4 in 22 overs, Pakistan’s situation looked precarious. Hussain Talat contributed a valuable 31 off 32 deliveries but was caught behind off Roston Chase’s bowling.
Hasan Nawaz provided the late impetus with powerful hitting, pushing Pakistan to a defendable total. He remained unbeaten on 36 off 30 balls, including three sixes, while Shaheen Afridi added an unbeaten 11 off seven balls.
For the West Indies, Jayden Seales was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 23 in seven overs. Jediah Blades, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Roston Chase each chipped in with a wicket.
