TRINIDAD: Captain Shai Hope struck an unbeaten century as West Indies posted 294 for six in the third and final ODI against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.
Opting to bowl first in the series decider, Pakistan struck early when Naseem Shah removed Brandon King for five in the third over.
Evin Lewis and Keacy Carty added 47 for the second wicket before both fell to leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in quick succession.
Lewis made 37 off 54 balls with one four and three sixes, while Carty scored 17.
Hope took charge of the innings, first adding 45 with Sherfane Rutherford (15) and then 64 with Roston Chase.
Chase’s brisk 36 from 29 deliveries, featuring three fours and two sixes, helped lift the scoring rate before he was dismissed by Naseem.
Mohammad Nawaz then removed Gudakesh Motie for five, leaving West Indies on 184 for six in the 42nd over.
From there, Hope and Justin Greaves launched a late onslaught, adding an unbroken 110 for the seventh wicket.
Hope’s 120 not out came off just 94 deliveries and included 10 fours and five sixes. Greaves contributed 43 off 24 balls, striking five boundaries.
For Pakistan, Abrar and Naseem took two wickets each, while Nawaz and Saim Ayub claimed one apiece.
The three-match series is level at 1-1, with both sides seeking victory to claim the trophy.
Pakistan made one change for the decider, bringing in Naseem for Shaheen Afridi, while the hosts replaced Jediah Blades with Romario Shepherd.
Pakistan, currently fifth in the ICC ODI rankings, will need 295 runs to secure the series, while West Indies, ranked ninth, aim to complete a comeback after losing the first match.
Pakistan Playing XI
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmad.
West Indies Playing XI
Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Justin Greaves, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales.
