Pakistan completed a clean sweep in the three-match Twenty20 series against a virus-hit West Indies with a resounding seven-wicket win.
Run-machine Mohammad Rizwan rounded off the year with his 12th half-century in Twenty20 internationals by scoring 87, while captain Babar Azam made 79 in Pakistan’s blistering run-chase of 208-3 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies squad was further depleted on the morning of the match when three more players tested positive for the coronavirus, increasing the number of cases to nine — six players and three support personnel — in the tourists’ camp.
The West Indies’ top-order batters, led by captain Nicholas Pooran’s blazing 64 off 37 balls, still did well to post 207-3 after the tourists had won the toss and elected to bat.
“Rizwan and I thought of going till the end and keep managing the run rate,” Babar said. “Our bench strength got a good workout, too, and it’s a great sign for me as a captain.”
West Indies felt the absence of left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who was one of the three players to test positive along with Shai Hope and allrounder Justin Greaves. Hosein had done well in the previous two games, which Pakistan won by 63 and nine runs, respectively.
“When you have the World No.1 batter with you at the crease, you needn’t worry about anything. All you’ve got to do is observe and learn from the best. The key to our successful partnership is our communication. We keep taking singles, keep setting targets, target some fielders, which in turn makes it easier for us to dominate.”
Rizwan praised Babar after the match. “When the world no.1 batter is with you, there’s no need to worry. You just need to learn from the best. Communication is the key to our partnership’s success. We continue taking singles, we keep setting targets, and we target some fielders which makes it easier to dominate.”