West Indies crush Pakistan for first ODI series win in 33 years

Dubai: West Indies ended more than three decades of frustration against Pakistan with a crushing 202-run win in the third and final One-Day International at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, clinching the series 2-1 — their first bilateral ODI triumph over Pakistan since 1991.

Captain Shai Hope led from the front with an unbeaten 120 off 94 balls, his 18th ODI century, to steer the hosts to 294 for six. His knock, featuring 10 fours and five sixes, took him past Desmond Haynes (17) to third on the West Indies’ all-time century list, behind Chris Gayle (25) and Brian Lara (19).

Hope received valuable support from Justin Greaves, who smashed 43 not out from just 24 balls. The pair shared an unbroken 110-run seventh-wicket stand in just 8.1 overs, powering West Indies to 119 runs in the last 10 overs — the highest total of the series.

Pakistan’s bowlers had earlier kept the hosts in check, with Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed picking up two wickets each. But their batsmen capitulated in the chase.

Pace spearhead Jayden Seales ripped through the top order in a devastating new-ball spell, dismissing Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan — all for ducks — before trapping Babar Azam lbw for nine. His final figures of 6-18 from 7.2 overs were the best by a West Indian in ODIs against Pakistan and the third-best overall for the Caribbean side.

Pakistan slumped to 23-4 inside nine overs and never recovered. Salman Ali Agha (30) offered brief resistance but with little support, the visitors were bowled out for just 92 in 29.2 overs.

The victory capped a significant turnaround for West Indies, who had lost the series opener and come into the match after a turbulent period on and off the field — including a recent Test collapse for just 27 against Australia and an emergency cricket summit attended by legends Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd.

“This is the kind of positive result we’ve been craving,” said Hope, after lifting the trophy. “It’s been a while since we’ve had something to celebrate in West Indies cricket.”