Pakistan Seal Series Win in High-Scoring Thriller Against West Indies

On August 3, 2025, the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill hosted a pulsating third T20I between Pakistan and the West Indies, deciding the fate of a fiercely contested series. Pakistan, having won the toss and chosen to bat, put up a commanding 189/4 in their 20 overs, setting a steep challenge for the hosts. Despite a spirited chase led by Alick Athanaze’s brilliant 60, the West Indies fell short at 176/6, handing Pakistan a 13-run victory and a 2-1 series triumph. Even without Fakhar Zaman, sidelined by a hamstring injury, Pakistan’s batting depth and disciplined bowling proved too much for the West Indies in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Pakistan’s Innings, a Power-Packed Performance

Pakistan’s batting was a showcase of calculated aggression, driven by a phenomenal opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. The pair took charge from the outset, making the most of the powerplay to lay a rock-solid foundation. Farhan, blending finesse with raw power, played a match-defining knock of 74 runs off 53 balls.

West Indies will be chasing to win the series after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. #WIvPAK | #FullAhEnergy | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/Rs3Bz1BFsZ

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 3, 2025

His innings included three boundaries and five massive sixes, delivered at a strike rate of 139.62. With a keen eye for gaps and the ability to loft the ball over the infield, Farhan kept the West Indies’ bowlers under constant pressure. Saim Ayub was the perfect foil, scoring a stylish 66 off 49 balls, with four fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 134.69. Their 138-run partnership, which stood until the 16.2nd over, was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s imposing total of 189/4, achieved at a run rate of 9.45.

The powerplay overs were a dream for Pakistan, as they raced to 59/1 in the first six overs. The West Indies’ bowlers struggled to find their footing early on. Akeal Hosein, known for his miserly left-arm spin, went wicketless, conceding 32 runs in his four overs. Jason Holder, a vital cog in the bowling lineup, picked up Ayub’s wicket but leaked 34 runs in his spell. The West Indies tried to mix things up with spin and pace, but Farhan and Ayub were relentless, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.

Farhan’s lofted cover drives and Ayub’s crisp shots through the off-side kept the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace. The West Indies finally broke through in the 16.2nd over when Shamar Joseph, despite a tough day, got Farhan caught by Shai Hope for 74. Joseph’s four overs were expensive, costing 57 runs at an economy of 14.25, largely due to Farhan’s onslaught, which saw five sixes fly off his bowling. Hasan Nawaz, walking in after Farhan’s dismissal, wasted no time, hammering 15 runs off just seven balls, including two sixes, at a strike rate of 214.28.

His aggressive cameo was halted in the 17.5th over when Roston Chase, who bowled a tidy 1/31, had him caught by Romario Shepherd.
Pakistan’s momentum took a slight hit with the run-out of Mohammad Haris, the wicketkeeper-batter, who managed just 2 runs off 2 balls. The dismissal, a sharp piece of work by Gudakesh Motie and Jewel Andrew in the 18.1st over, was a rare fielding highlight for the West Indies. Ayub’s innings ended in the 18.6th over, caught by Sherfane Rutherford off Holder’s bowling, leaving Pakistan at 170/4.

In the final overs, Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf provided the fireworks. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 11 off 6 balls, including a six, while Ashraf’s unbeaten 10 off just 3 balls, with a six, came at a staggering strike rate of 333.33. Their late contributions, along with 11 extras (10 wides and a leg bye), pushed Pakistan to a formidable 189/4.

Backing #MenInMaroon to chase 190 and secure the series win 🏏#WIvsPAK | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/143MXdL11B

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 4, 2025

The West Indies’ bowling effort was inconsistent. Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers, while Holder’s single wicket came at a cost. Shamar Joseph had a day to forget, and Romario Shepherd’s two overs went for 20 runs without a wicket. Gudakesh Motie, who bowled just two overs for 14 runs, could have been used more, but the West Indies’ failure to break the opening stand early allowed Pakistan to dominate the innings.

West Indies Falls Short in the Chase

Chasing 190, the West Indies needed a blazing start, and their openers, Jewel Andrew and Alick Athanaze, delivered just that. Andrew, the wicketkeeper, played a fearless 24 off 15 balls, smashing three fours at a strike rate of 160.00. His aggressive intent set the tone, but his innings was cut short in the 4.2nd over when Haris Rauf had him caught by Hasan Ali. Athanaze, however, was the star of the chase, scoring a fluent 60 off 40 balls. His knock, studded with eight fours and a six, came at a strike rate of 150.00. Athanaze’s elegant strokeplay, especially through the covers, kept the West Indies in the game during the powerplay, where they scored 59/1, matching Pakistan’s effort.

A brave effort in the chase from Sherfane, tonight. 👏🏾#WIvPAK #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/EjfznwrNxw

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 4, 2025

The West Indies hit 50 runs in just 4.5 overs, with Athanaze leading from the front. A key moment came in the 6.2nd over when Pakistan reviewed a decision against Athanaze, but umpire Zahid Bassarath’s call stood, allowing him to carry on. By the drinks break at 10 overs, the West Indies were 90/2, with Athanaze on 49 and Sherfane Rutherford on 9. Athanaze reached his fifty off 31 balls, a knock that included six fours and a six, showcasing his ability to take on Pakistan’s bowlers.
Pakistan’s bowlers, however, struck at crucial moments.

Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Shai Hope, the West Indies captain, for 7 off 9 balls in the 8.2nd over, caught by Saim Ayub. Hope’s departure slowed the scoring, and Athanaze’s exit in the 12.6th over, caught by Khushdil Shah off Saim Ayub’s bowling, left the West Indies at 110/3. Sherfane Rutherford kept the chase alive with a gritty 51 off 35 balls, including four fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 145.71. His fifty off 32 balls gave the West Indies hope, but Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the noose.

Roston Chase, who retired out for 15 off 12 balls in the 16.6th over, couldn’t provide the needed support. Jason Holder’s stay was brief, bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem for a two-ball duck in the 17.2nd over. Muqeem was Pakistan’s standout bowler, conceding just 20 runs in his four overs at an economy of 5.00, a remarkable effort in a high-scoring game. Rutherford’s dismissal in the 19.2nd over, caught by Sahibzada Farhan off Hasan Ali, all but ended the West Indies’ hopes, as they required 24 runs off the final over.

An exciting finish with Pakistan taking the final T20I.#WIvPAK | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/OXjtGz51Wv

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 4, 2025

Romario Shepherd (4* off 3) and Gudakesh Motie (10* off 4, with a four and a six) added some late runs, but the West Indies finished at 176/6, 13 runs short. Pakistan’s bowling was disciplined and well-coordinated. Sufiyan Muqeem’s economical spell was the difference, while Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali each took a wicket, though Ali’s three overs cost 38 runs. Saim Ayub, doubling up as a bowler, dismissed Athanaze, and Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf kept the pressure on. A slow over-rate penalty in the final two overs forced the West Indies to have an extra fielder inside the circle, adding to their woes.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Sahibzada Farhan’s breathtaking 74 off 53 balls was the match’s defining moment, earning TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game. Opening the batting, Farhan mixed elegance with power, smashing three boundaries and five towering sixes at a strike rate of 139.62.

4 sixes and 2 fours for Sahibzada Farhan to get to his third T20I fifty

He is looking in good touch 🤌

🔗 https://t.co/5lTmXioI2o pic.twitter.com/t8fOmeTxAW

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 4, 2025

For 79 minutes, he dominated the West Indies’ bowlers, setting the stage for Pakistan’s imposing 189/4. His 138-run stand with Saim Ayub was the foundation of the innings, blending composure with aggression. Farhan’s innings ended in the 16.2nd over, caught by Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph, but not before he had put Pakistan in a commanding position.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Alick Athanaze was the West Indies’ shining light, earning TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his stellar 60 off 40 balls in the chase of 190. His innings, featuring eight crisp boundaries and a towering six, came at a strike rate of 150.00. Athanaze’s mix of aggression and poise kept the West Indies in contention, anchoring the innings against a disciplined Pakistan attack.

Setting the tone perfectly with his maiden T20I half century 💥🏏#WIvsPAK | #FullAhEnergy pic.twitter.com/RjIoqAytit

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 4, 2025

Batting for 65 minutes, he found gaps and rotated the strike with ease, especially in the middle overs. Though he fell in the 12.6th over, caught off Saim Ayub’s bowling, his 60 runs gave the West Indies a fighting chance. Despite the 13-run defeat, Athanaze’s performance stood out, earning him well-deserved praise.