Pakistan sealed a thrilling 13-run victory against West Indies in the third and final T20 International played on Sunday night in Lauderhill, Florida, securing the three-match series 2–1.
Pakistan had earlier won the first match by 14 runs, while the second match was lost to the West Indies by 2 wickets. In the decider, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first— a decision that proved fruitful.
The highlight of the innings was the remarkable 138-run opening partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. Farhan scored an aggressive 74 off 53 balls, including 5 sixes and 3 fours, while Saim Ayub contributed a steady 66 off 49 balls with 2 sixes and 4 boundaries.
Farhan was dismissed in the 17th over, caught at long-off by Shai Hope. Hasan Nawaz added 15 runs before being caught on the last ball of the 18th over. Mohammad Haris was run out for 2 runs on the first ball of the 19th over, and Saim Ayub was caught at sweeper cover on the last ball of the same over.
Pakistan finished with a total of 189 for 4 in 20 overs.
In response, the West Indies started aggressively, scoring 30 runs off just 10 balls. Their first wicket fell at 44 when Jeavor Royal was caught for 24. Saim Ayub took the key wicket of Shai Hope for just 7 runs, leaving West Indies needing 116 more to win.
Alick Athanaze kept the momentum going with a solid 60-run innings but was eventually dismissed by Khushdil Shah off Saim Ayub’s bowling. West Indies stood at 110 needing 80 off 42 balls.
Chase fell on the final ball of the 17th over, and in came Jason Holder, who was bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem just two balls later without scoring. At that stage, 41 runs were needed off 16 balls.
Rutherford brought up his fifty with a six but was dismissed for 51, and West Indies fell short yet again in another last-over chase. Pakistan’s win gave them the series and a morale boost moving forward.
