West Indies and Pakistan are set to meet in the deciding third one-day international (ODI) of their three-match series at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, today.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm as per Pakistan Standard Time.
With the series currently tied at 1-1, both teams will be eager to win the third ODI and claim the series title.
Pakistan won the opening game of the series with a solid all-around performance. The bowlers restricted the West Indies to a modest total before the batters successfully chased the target with five wickets to spare.
However, the Windies responded strongly in the second ODI, shortened due to rain. Chasing a revised target of 181 runs in 35 overs, the hosts decimated the visitors to win by five wickets, levelling the series.
The West Indies side is expected to remain unchanged for the third ODI, relying on experienced talent such as captain Shai Hope and all-rounder Roston Chase.
The bowling attack includes Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph, along with spinner Gudakesh Moties, who has shown the ability to apply pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Meanwhile, it looks like Pakistan might make some adjustments to their squad, with Naseem Shah a likely candidate to return after missing the second match.
Pakistan’s top-order batting lineup, anchored by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, will need to find consistency following mixed performance in the previous game.
In the lower order, players such as Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Talat, carried the previous match.
The bowling will once again be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who remains a key asset in Pakistan’s attack despite going wicketless in previous match.
Conditions at the Brian Lara Stadium tend to favour bowlers, particularly with early movement for pace bowlers and turn for spinners as matches progress.
Batters from both teams will need to adapt to the conditions and show patience if they are to build a respectable total.
The third ODI has a lot at stake for both teams. A win for the West Indies will see them claim a fourth consecutive home bilateral ODI series win. For Pakistan, victory will provide a much-needed away series win and restore confidence.
