PROVIDENCE: With pride and an ODI series at stake, both teams will be out in full force to battle for the glory in the third and final game at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Tuesday.
Pakistan and West Indies both have been producing some enthralling cricket in the shorter formats of late. However, Pakistan came back strongly and routed West Indies by 74 runs in the second ODI at the same venue on Sunday despite trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after Jason Mohammed struck an stunning 91 from 58 balls to snatch a dramatic win for the hosts on Friday.
Riding on Babar Azam’s fourth ODI century against West Indies, Pakistan managed to put 282-5 on the board in the second fixture. But the hosts yet again faltered in their batting with only captain Jason Holder and Ashley Nurse showing some resistance.
Babar launched himself upon the West Indies bowlers to record his fourth ton against them in just five games.
West Indies’ bowling looked bleak and uninspiring that saw Babar milk them to all parts of the ground. The only bowler to keep some saving grace was off-spinner Ashley Nurse who gave away just 18 runs against the talented young right-hander
After having a poor time with the bat on the tour so far, Imad finally came to the party in style as the left-handed all-rounder dished out 43 runs off 35 balls to propel Pakistan towards 280-run mark. Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who stood out with the ball, bowled only three deliveries to Imad, making this battle a mouth-watering affair in third and final match.
Holder himself scored an 84-ball 38, amidst all the mayhem on the other end. the skipper’s knock saved blues for the home side, who looked good for a massive loss. It was Hasan who doomed the hosts with 5-38. the paceman’s fifth and final wicket was Holder.
Opener Evin Lewis and Pakistan strike weapon with the new ball Mohammad Amir so far had an indifferent time in the ODI series and both have not yet gone full throttle.
Lewis’ top score in the series remains 47 while Amir hasn’t had any impact on the cricketing world since his return. It will be an interesting contest between the two struggling players in Tuesday’s series decider.