Pakistan Clinch Seventh Straight T20I Series Win Over West Indies, Led by Farhan and Ayub’s Heroics
Pakistan 189 for 4 (Farhan 74, Ayub 66, Chase 1-31) beat West Indies 176 for 6 (Athanaze 60, Rutherford 51, Muqeem 1-20) by 13 runs
In Lauderhill, Florida, Pakistan capped off their Caribbean tour with a gritty 13-run win over West Indies, securing a 2-1 series victory—their seventh consecutive T20I series win against the hosts.
After the nail-biting tension of the second T20I, Sunday’s decider followed a pattern more reminiscent of the opener. Pakistan once again proved a touch superior with both bat and ball, laying the foundation for victory with a commanding 138-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. That partnership gave Pakistan the launchpad they needed, even if fireworks were momentarily delayed.
A Measured Start, a Late Surge
Having won the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan avoided the early stumbles that cost them in the previous game. Farhan and Ayub played with composure, slowly building momentum without risking their wickets. Though their strike rate lacked early aggression, the duo batted deep, allowing the team to set up for a powerful finish.
By the time Ayub and Farhan had both reached their half-centuries, Pakistan’s run rate hovered around 8.5—steady but not dominant. But the late overs brought redemption. Once Farhan departed, Hasan Nawaz injected the innings with urgency, striking two crucial sixes. Despite no boundaries through the outfield in the final four overs, Pakistan launched five sixes, including 20 runs in the last over—lifting them to a competitive 189.
West Indies Start Fast, Falter Late
West Indies began their chase with purpose, hammering 33 runs off the first two overs. Their aggression gave them a head start over Pakistan’s equivalent phase. Athanaze and Rutherford kept the scoreboard moving, and at the 16-over mark, the hosts were five runs ahead of Pakistan’s position at that stage.
But the final act belonged to Pakistan’s bowlers. A fiery 17th over from Haris Rauf broke the momentum, before Sufiyan Muqeem delivered a decisive blow in the 18th—clean bowling Jason Holder for a two-ball duck with a pinpoint flipper. West Indies’ hopes unraveled thereon, as Pakistan’s grip tightened.
Tactical Move Backfires
One of the more curious moments came when Roston Chase—struggling with timing—was retired out in the 18th over to make way for Holder. It was a bold tactical move, one that signaled urgency. But the risk didn’t pay off. Muqeem’s delivery, skidding through, flattened Holder’s off-stump before he had a chance to settle.
Despite a few desperate swings in the final overs, West Indies couldn’t recover. With Pakistan’s bowlers executing their plans to perfection, the hosts fell short once more.
Reflection on the 138-Run Stand
While a 138-run opening stand is usually a recipe for dominance, it brought back memories of Pakistan’s debates during the Rizwan-Babar era—where high partnerships sometimes came at the cost of acceleration. Still, this time the timing of the first wicket falling helped spark a late surge. That final flurry of sixes turned a good score into a winning one.
Pakistan leave Florida not just with another trophy, but with signs of a fresh opening pair blooming in Ayub and Farhan. With a balanced performance and the ability to finish strongly, they showed once again why they remain a formidable T20I force—especially against the West Indies.