Despite West Indies Captain Nicholas Pooran taking four wickets for 48 runs and tail-ender Akeal Hosein scoring 60 in unfamiliar roles, they could not avoid a 53-run defeat in the final One-Day International in Multan, Pakistan on Sunday.
Hoping to avoid the ignominy of a second straight clean sweep on Pakistan soil following a similar fate last December in Karachi, Pakistan managed to restrict West Indies to 269 off 48 overs due to a dust storm, which halted the hosts’ innings after 33 minutes.
Pooran, more known for his attacking stroke play, twirled his off-breaks to pick up 4 for 48 while fast bowler Kemo Paul claimed 2 for 57 in his first appearance for the series.
As a consequence of Pooran’s 10-over magic spell, he had previously bowled three balls in international cricket, Pakistan found themselves floundering at 117 for 5 in the 25th over but Man-of-the-Match Shadab Khan bailed the innings out with a counter — attacking 86 off 78 balls.
West Indies then slumped quickly to 229 for 6 at the half way stage of the innings before Hosein arrived to blast a career best 60 off 37 balls and provide a glimmer of hope.
However, Shadab returned with his leg spin to snatch 4 for 62 to send West Indies reeling to 216 all out in the 38th over and condemn them to their third series defeat in one year.
West Indies lost their first match by five wickets while they went under by three wickets.
Scores: Pakistan 269: West Indies 216 all out.
