Hope’s ton helps West Indies set 295-run target against Pakistan

Web Desk
TAROUBA: West Indies posted a massive 295-run target against Pakistan courtesy of Shai Hope’s ton in the ODI series decider at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, on Tuesday.
The West Indies captain remained unbeaten on 120 alongside Justin Greaves (43)* to help the hosts post 294/6 in 50 overs. After opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah struck early, removing West Indies opener Brandon King for five.
Keacy Carty then joined his opening partner, Evin Lewis, and the two stitched a 47-run stand to take the hosts to 57 in 13.5 overs. However, Abrar Ahmed ended Lewis’s inning on the last delivery of 14 overs, to reduce the hosts to 57/2.
Following his dismissal, captain Shai Hope arrived at the crease to join Carty, who became Ahmed’s second victim after making 17 runs. Sherfane Rutherford (15) and Hope then shared a 45-run stand, which ended with the former’s dismissal to Saim Ayub.
With the scoreboard showing 113/4 in 30.3 overs, Roston Chase joined hands with Shai Hope to steer the hosts out of trouble in the Pakistan vs West Indies series-decider.
The two batters added 64 runs to the total to stabilised the hosts’ innings. Chase fell to Naseem Shah after scoring 36 runs, followed Gudakesh Motie, who was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz for five. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against West Indies in the third Pakistan vs West Indies ODI. Both teams will look to win the game to seal the three-match series, which stands levelled at 1-1. The tourists have brought in Naseem Shah in place of Shaheen Afridi for the third and final game, while the hosts have rested Jediah Blades for Romario Shepherd.
Pakistan got an upper hand after winning the first ODI, however, the hosts made a comeback in the series after securing victory in the second Pakistan vs West Indies game.
It is worth noting here that the Men in Green are fifth on the ICC ODI rankings, while West Indies sit at the ninth spot in the ODI teams ranking.
Playing XIs
West Indies: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Justin Greaves, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales.
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmad.