PAK vs WI, 3rd T20I, Review: Pakistan romp home in yet another one-sided encounter

Pakistan have beaten Windies by 8 wickets in the third and final T20 International at the National Stadium in Karachi. It was yet another clinical show from the home side as they brushed aside the visitors once again in the one-sided encounter. Despite batting first in this game, they struggled upfront before Denesh Ramdin helped them go past 150. However, the score was never going to be enough as the Men in Green easily romped home and continued their winning run in the format.

Windies skipper Jason Mohammed won the toss and opted to bat first as the team from Caribbean islands handed a debut to Andre McCarthy. They dropped the underperforming Kesrick Williams who leaked runs in the last two matches. Pakistan also rested the likes of Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir as Shaheen Afridi made his debut. Usman Shinwari also returned to the side for the first time after coming back from injury.

It was again the worst start for the visitors as Chadwick Walton bagged a 9-ball duck to bring Marlon Samuels to the crease. He right away played with intent smashing the bowlers all around the park. Even Andre Fletcher got his eye in and tore apart the bowlers as the duo added 72 runs for the second wicket. He also completed his half-century only to get run-out on 52 courtesy a stunning throw from Mohammad Nawaz. Windies collapsed from being 74/1 to 96/5 as everyone feared yet another poor show from them.

Ramdin comes to the rescue

However, it was Denesh Ramdin who provided the much-needed boost to them and played a blistering knock of 42* off 18 deliveries. He smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes during his stay in the middle and single-handedly helped his side post a competitive total of 153 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Shadab Khan was the best bowler for the Men in Green as he returned with the figures of 2/27 from his 4 overs.

Comfortable chase

The opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam started off in great fashion for their side. The former played an overly aggressive knock and took full toll of the visiting bowlers. He smashed 4 off just 17 deliveries before Rayad Emrit scalped him in the 6th over. But the start which Pakistan got courtesy him proved him to be enough as it was a cake-walk for them ever since then. Babar Azam just continued the way he played in the last match and scored 51 runs off 40 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.

The duo added 61 runs for the first wicket after which Hussain Talat continued to impress everyone in his debut series. He played a patient knock and won the game for his team along with another newbie Asif Ali in the 17th over the innings. Pakistan whitewashed Windies comfortably as the latter side never competed over the last three days. They looked jetlagged and jaded which was natural and nobody could blame them.

Pakistan, however, organised yet another successful series in their country which must have sent the message to the world that it is safe playing cricket in the country these days.

Brief Scores

Windies 153/6 after 20 overs (A Fletcher 52, D Ramdin 42*; S Khan 2/27)

Pakistan 154/2 after 16.5 overs (B Azam 51, F Zaman 40; R Emrit 1/24)

Result: Pakistan won by 8 wickets

Man of the Match: Fakhar Zaman

Man of the Series: Babar Azam

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