The West Indies maintained their spirit alive in the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan, levelling a five-wicket win in the rain-affected second match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.
The victory witnessed the hosts level the series 1-1, setting up a decider in the final game.
Roston Chase emerged as the anchor of the West Indies’ chase, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 47 balls. His innings featured two towering sixes and the winning boundary, guiding his team to 184-5 in 33.2 overs. The hosts had been set a revised target of 181 runs in 35 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after multiple rain interruptions disrupted play.
Pakistan, batting first after being put in, managed 171-7 in 37 overs before further showers curtailed their innings. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales produced an impressive spell, claiming 3 wickets for just 23 runs in his seven overs, ensuring the visitors never fully gained momentum.
Chasing the target, the West Indies appeared in control at 101-3 after 18 overs but stumbled to 111-5 in the 24th over. Sherfane Rutherford’s aggressive 45 off 33 balls, laced with three sixes and four fours, gave the innings early impetus. However, his dismissal, followed by another quick wicket, brought the match to a tense phase.
It was then that Chase found a dependable partner in Justin Greaves, who contributed 26 off 31 balls. Together, the duo forged a decisive, unbroken 77-run stand for the sixth wicket, steering the team home with 10 balls to spare.
Earlier, for Pakistan, Hasan Nawaz continued his good run of form, following up his unbeaten 63 in the first ODI with a brisk 36 not out off 30 balls. His innings featured three sixes, two of which came in what turned out to be the final over before rain ended the innings prematurely. HussainTalat also chipped in with 31 off 32 deliveries, but the overall scoring rate remained subdued.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan struggled to find rhythm, managing just 16 runs from 38 balls before being trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. The rest of the batting line-up failed to capitalise on starts, leaving Pakistan with a below-par score in challenging conditions.
Pakistan had drawn first blood in the series with a five-wicket win in the opening ODI, but the West Indies’ spirited fightback now means the trophy will be decided in the final clash.
The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, with both sides looking to claim the series. Pakistan will aim to regain their dominance, while the West Indies will seek to build on their momentum and secure a morale-boosting series win.
Pakistan had earlier edged out the West Indies 2-1 in the Twenty20 International series played in Florida, adding extra context to this hard-fought ODI battle.
