Historic Triumph for West Indies Cricket
In a stunning display of dominance, the West Indies cricket team defeated Pakistan by a massive margin of 202 runs in the third and final One Day International (ODI) at Tarouba, sealing the series 2–1. This victory marked the first ODI series win for the West Indies against Pakistan in 34 years, ending a drought that stretched back to the late 1980s.
The result not only stunned Pakistani fans but also reignited discussions about the changing dynamics of international cricket, where once-dominant sides like the West Indies are now showing signs of revival.
Match Summary
- Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad
- Toss: West Indies won the toss and opted to bat
- West Indies Innings: 294/5 in 50 overs
- Pakistan Innings: 92 all out in 26 overs
- Result: West Indies won by 202 runs
- Series Result: West Indies won 2–1
Shai Hope’s Commanding Century
The foundation of the West Indies victory was laid by Shai Hope, who played a magnificent unbeaten innings of 120 runs. Known for his calm temperament and classical batting style, Hope held the innings together and then exploded in the final overs, accelerating the scoring rate when it mattered most.
Early Overs – A Cautious Approach
Initially, the West Indies batsmen appeared cautious, particularly against Pakistan’s spinners. The pitch offered turn, and Abrar Ahmed was economical, giving away just 5 runs in his first 6 overs. It seemed at one point that the Caribbean side might struggle to reach even 250.
The Late Surge
However, everything changed in the 44th over, when Hope smashed Mohammad Nawaz for two consecutive sixes over long-on, bringing up the team’s 200 and signalling an aggressive intent. Partnering with Justin Greaves (43 runs), Hope began dismantling Pakistan’s bowling attack.
In the last 7 overs, 100 runs were scored—turning a moderate total into an intimidating one. Hope brought up his century with a trademark cover drive and became the third-highest century-maker in West Indies ODI history.
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles
Pakistan’s bowling, normally their strength, looked underwhelming. Naseem Shah tried to generate reverse swing, managing to dismiss Roston Chase, but the lack of sustained pressure allowed West Indies to dominate.
- Mohammad Nawaz: 1/56 in 9 overs
- Abrar Ahmed: 0/34 in 10 overs
- Hassan Ali: Expensive in the death overs, conceding boundaries at will
The decision to field fewer regular bowlers in favour of batting depth backfired spectacularly, as Pakistan’s attack lacked both penetration and control in the final overs.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 295 runs, Pakistan’s innings never got going. The team was bundled out for just 92 runs, with four players dismissed for ducks.
Jaden Sales – The Wrecker-in-Chief
Young fast bowler Jaden Sales produced a career-defining performance, taking 6 wickets for just 23 runs, the second-best bowling figures by a West Indian in ODI cricket. His fiery spell destroyed Pakistan’s top order within the first 10 overs.
- Saim Ayub: Caught at slip in the first over
- Abdullah Shafique: Fell to a sharp rising delivery without scoring
- Mohammad Rizwan: Bowled by a ball that nipped back and clipped the stumps in a rare dismissal
- Babar Azam: Out LBW cheaply, extinguishing Pakistan’s hopes early
By the time the scoreboard read 23/4, the match was virtually over.
No Resistance in the Middle Order
Only Salman Agha showed some fight, scoring 30 runs, but his effort was purely symbolic. The rest of the batting lineup crumbled, with 8 players failing to reach double figures. West Indies’ spinners, Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase, picked up key wickets to complement Sales’ pace attack.
The tail offered no resistance, with Abrar Ahmed run out attempting a non-existent single and the final wicket falling quickly thereafter.
Key Performances
West Indies
- Shai Hope: 120* (match-winning century)
- Justin Greaves: 43 (vital middle-order partnership)
- Jaden Sales: 6/23 (career-best spell)
Pakistan
- Salman Agha: 30 (lone fighter)
- Bowling lacked penetration despite helpful conditions early on
Statistical Highlights
- West Indies’ first ODI series win over Pakistan since 1991.
- Jaden Sales’ 6/23 is the second-best ODI bowling figure for West Indies after 6/12 by Vasbert Drakes.
- Pakistan’s total of 92 is their third-lowest ODI score against West Indies.
- Shai Hope’s century was his 17th in ODIs, making him only the third West Indian to reach that mark.
Post-Match Reactions
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain)
“We’ve been working hard for this moment. It’s been a long time since we’ve beaten Pakistan in a series. Credit to the bowlers for setting the tone and the batsmen for finishing strong.”
Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain)
“We didn’t play good cricket in any department today. Losing early wickets in a chase like this makes it almost impossible to recover.”
Cricket Analysts
Former players like Ramiz Raja criticised Pakistan’s team selection, pointing out the lack of regular bowlers and questioning the tactical approach. Many believe Pakistan underestimated the West Indies, expecting an easy series win.
Historical Context
West Indies’ last ODI series victory against Pakistan came in 1991, during an era when legends like Richie Richardson, Brian Lara, and Curtly Ambrose dominated world cricket. Since then, Pakistan had largely held the upper hand, winning multiple bilateral series and World Cup encounters.
This victory therefore holds sentimental and symbolic value for West Indies cricket, suggesting that the team may be on the rise again after years of decline.
Impact on ICC Rankings
The win boosts West Indies’ position in the ICC ODI rankings, while Pakistan risks slipping further down. With the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2027 World Cup qualification points at stake, such losses could have long-term consequences.
Looking Ahead
- West Indies: Will look to build on this momentum ahead of their next ODI assignment against Australia.
- Pakistan: Faces urgent questions about batting depth, selection strategy, and leadership as they prepare for the Asia Cup.
Final Word
The match was a reminder that in cricket, history can be rewritten at any moment. For the West Indies, it was the end of a 34-year wait and a statement to the cricketing world that they are ready to challenge big teams again. For Pakistan, it was a sobering reality check—a performance that exposed both tactical flaws and mental fragility under pressure.
