Pakistan defeated West Indies by 13 runs in the third and final T20I in Lauderhill, Florida, sealing the series 2–1 and registering their seventh consecutive T20I series victory over the Caribbean side. In a game filled with strong performances and pressure moments, Pakistan’s batting firepower and disciplined death bowling proved decisive.
Batting first, Pakistan were powered by a dominant opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. The pair put on 138 runs for the first wicket, setting the tone with fluent stroke play and aggressive intent. Farhan, playing with confidence and poise, scored a superb 74 off 53 balls, including five towering sixes and three boundaries. Ayub, at the other end, matched him with 66 off 49 balls, striking cleanly and finding gaps regularly.
Though West Indies managed to pull things back slightly in the final few overs, Pakistan still ended up with a strong total of 189 for 4. Contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan in the final overs ensured that the momentum wasn’t lost entirely after the fall of the openers.
In reply, West Indies started with a sense of urgency. Alick Athanaze kept them in the chase with a confident 60 off 40 balls, mixing powerful hitting with smart rotation of strike. He was supported well by Sherfane Rutherford, who played a counterattacking knock of 51 from just 35 deliveries. At one point, West Indies looked to be on course for a remarkable chase, needing around 50 from the final five overs with wickets in hand.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers, particularly in the last four overs, were composed and clinical. Despite being under pressure, they executed their plans well — mixing yorkers, slower balls, and clever field placements to dry up boundaries. The turning point came when Athanaze was dismissed during a crucial phase, after which the West Indies innings lost steam. The asking rate crept up, and the visitors couldn’t find the finishing gear.
West Indies eventually ended their innings at 176 for 6, 13 runs short of the target. Pakistan’s bowlers did not allow any easy runs in the final overs, with effective contributions across the attack. While no bowler took a massive haul, it was a well-rounded team effort that emphasized control over aggression.
This victory not only gave Pakistan a confidence-boosting series win but also reaffirmed their tactical growth in pressure situations. The consistency of the openers and the death-over execution with the ball highlighted Pakistan’s T20I strengths — explosive starts, adaptable middle-order options, and depth in bowling.
On the other hand, West Indies will rue missed chances. Their inability to finish tight games has been a recurring theme, and despite flashes of brilliance with the bat, they lacked the clinical edge when it mattered most.
As the teams now shift focus to the ODI series, Pakistan walk away with momentum and belief. For West Indies, the series offered glimpses of individual talent, but they’ll need to regroup quickly if they want to reverse fortunes in the 50-over format.