Pakistan secured a thrilling 13-run victory against the West Indies in the third and final T20 International match held on Sunday, thanks to an outstanding 138-run opening stand between Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. With this win, Pakistan claimed the three-match series 2-1.
Earlier in the series, Pakistan won the first match by 14 runs, while 2 wickets narrowly lost the second match. The decisive contest took place in Lauderhill, Florida, under intense anticipation.
Winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bat first—a decision that paid off handsomely due to the explosive performance from their openers. The team posted a competitive total of 189 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Sahibzada Farhan played an aggressive innings, scoring 74 runs off 53 balls, including 5 sixes and 3 fours. On the other hand, Saim Ayub maintained composure and stability, making 66 runs off 49 deliveries with 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. He remained at the crease until the 19th over.
Farhan was dismissed in the 17th over, caught at long-off by West Indies captain Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph’s delivery. Hasan Nawaz contributed 15 runs before being caught at long-off on the last ball of the 18th over by Romario Shepherd off Roston Chase.
At the start of the 19th over, Mohammad Haris was run out for just 2 runs by a throw from Gudakesh Motie. Later in the same over, Saim Ayub was caught at sweeper cover off Jason Holder on the last ball.
Chasing 190, West Indies started aggressively, scoring 30 runs off the first 10 balls from Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz.
Their first wicket fell at 44 when Jeavor Royal was caught at long-on by Hasan Ali off Haris Rauf after scoring 24 runs.
Saim Ayub struck again in the 9th over, dismissing Shai Hope for just 7 runs when West Indies still required 116 to win.
Alick Athanaze remained steady at the crease for 13 overs, scoring 60 runs before being caught by Khushdil Shah off Saim Ayub’s bowling. At that point, the score was 110, and the West Indies needed 80 runs from 42 balls.
Chase was dismissed on the final ball of the 17th over. Jason Holder, the hero of the previous match, came in next but was clean bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem just two balls later without scoring.
Rutherford completed his half-century with a six off seven balls before the end but was eventually dismissed for 51. West Indies once again fell short in the final over, handing Pakistan a well-fought 13-run victory and the series.
