A brilliant Jayden Seales led West Indies to a dominant 202-run win over Pakistan in the third and final ODI in Trinidad on Tuesday. The fast bowler dismantled Pakistan's top order, returning incredible figures of 6-18 as the tourists were bowled out for a paltry 92 in pursuit of 295.
The West Indies, who batted first, scored 294-6 in their 50 overs with mostly captain Shai Hope leading the charge with a scintillating unbeaten century. The victory gave the Caribbean team their first ODI series win over Pakistan since 1991, after heavy losses in Tests (3-0) and T20s (5-0) to Australia during this summer.
"We emphasize on negatives a lot in West Indies," explained Hope. "So many positives to cry about. Good to see the guys making history. Seales is a class bowler. He's a class act. Anything you ask him to do, he puts his hands up."
Pakistan's batting collapsed early with Seales striking three times in the first three overs, dismissing Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan, leaving them stumbling at 8-3. He then trapped captain Babar Azam lbw for a mere nine, in effect ending Pakistan's hopes of winning the series.
"Seales made it tough for us. Done so all through the series. But we lost three wickets early, that's what cost us," stated Rizwan.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie then claimed two wickets during the middle overs, before Seales came back to mop up the tail, removing Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah to have his six-wicket haul. The hosts closed out the win when Pakistan's 11th player, Abrar Ahmed, was run out by Roston Chase.
West Indies' reply was slow after Pakistan, who won the toss and decided to bowl, put pressure early. They were 68 for 3 when Keacy Carty was lbw to 17 off 45 balls, and Sherfane Rutherford fought, getting 15 from 40 balls before he was dismissed by Ayub.
Roston Chase came to the rescue with a whirlwind 36, which was vital assistance to Hope. Though Chase too fell to Naseem Shah and Motie was caught and bowled by Mohammad Nawaz, Hope and Justin Greaves came out all guns blazing in a final onslaught, piling on 110 runs in 8.1 overs to bring the team close to 300.
Hope remained not out on 120, scoring 10 fours and five sixes, his 18th ODI century and putting him second only to Brian Lara and Chris Gayle in the West Indies' all-time ODI century list. Greaves made an unbeaten 43 off 24, giving the perfect finishing touch.
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