Lauderhill, August 4, 2025: Pakistan edged out West Indies by 13 runs in a high-octane third T20I at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium on Monday, sealing a 2-1 series victory and wrapping up their Caribbean tour on a high.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan’s openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan gave their side a flying start. The pair dominated the powerplay, reaching 47 without loss by the sixth over. Their partnership blossomed as Farhan brought up his third T20I fifty in the 11th over, taking the total to 88-0.
Ayub soon followed with his own half-century—also his third in T20Is—as Pakistan cruised to 108-0 in 13 overs. The 138-run opening stand was finally broken in the 17th over when Shamar Joseph dismissed Farhan for a well-crafted 74 off 53 balls, laced with three fours and five sixes.
Hassan Nawaz added quick runs with a 15 off 7, while Mohammad Haris fell cheaply for 2. Ayub’s elegant innings ended at 66 off 49, falling to Jason Holder. In the final over, Khushdil Shah (11 off 6)* and Faheem Ashraf (10 off 3)* finished strongly to set a challenging target of 189-4.
Chasing 190, the West Indies got off to a blazing start, smashing 16 runs in the first over and reaching 33-0 in just two. Openers Jewel Andrew and Alick Athanaze put up 44 before Haris Rauf removed Andrew for a rapid 24 off 15.
Athanaze continued to impress, notching his maiden T20I half-century off 31 balls. Alongside captain Shai Hope, he kept the momentum alive as West Indies stood at 98-2 in 11 overs. However, Pakistan clawed back as Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Hope, and Saim Ayub removed Athanaze for a crucial 60 off 40.
A gritty stand between Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase brought the hosts back into contention, but a dramatic twist came in the 17th over: Chase retired out due to injury, and Sufiyan Muqeem sent Jason Holder back for a golden duck, leaving West Indies at 149-5.
Rutherford, unfazed, kept the fight alive, bringing up his fifty off 33 balls. With 26 needed off the last seven balls, the game hung in the balance. However, his dismissal for 51 off 35 in the final over dashed any hopes of a miracle, as West Indies closed at 176-6.
Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs, with Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Saim Ayub all contributing with one wicket apiece.
The win marks Pakistan’s second consecutive T20I series triumph and serves as a confidence booster ahead of upcoming international assignments. For West Indies, it was another missed opportunity on home soil, having now lost back-to-back T20I series.
