Pakistan beat West Indies by 13 runs to capture T20 series
Pakistan won the series opener by 14 runs but dropped the second match by two wickets to set up a Sunday night decider at Lauderhill, Florida.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan were rewarded with a powerhouse performance by Farhan and Ayub.
Pakistan went 189 for four as Farhan hammered the hosts for 74 runs on 53 balls, smashing five sixes and three fours, while Ayub lasted 19 overs, finishing on 66 from 49 balls with two sixes and four fours.
Farhan was caught by West Indies captain Shai Hope at long off from a delivery by Shamar Joseph on the second ball of the 17th over.
Hasan Nawaz entered but was dismissed after only 15 runs, caught by Romario Shepherd at long off from a delivery by Roston Chase on the penultimate ball of the 18th over.
Mohammad Haris was run out for only two runs by Gudakesh Motie to start the 19th over and Ayub finally exited on the last ball of the penultimate over, Jason Holder's delivery grabbed by Sherfane Rutherford at sweeper cover.
Set 190 to win, West Indies scored 30 runs on the first 10 balls from Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz.
Jewel Andrew was caught by Hasan Ali at long on, bowled by Haris Rauf for 24, the first West Indies wicket falling at 44.
Ayub caught Hope bowled out by Nawaz for seven in the ninth over with the hosts still 116 runs from victory.
Alick Athanaze lasted 13 overs before being taken for 60, caught by Khushdil Shah bowled by Ayub with West Indies on 110, needing 80 runs off the last 42 deliveries.
Chase was dismissed on the last ball of the 17th over and his replacement, last-ball hero Holder from the win a night earlier, was bowled out by Sufiyan Muqeem two balls later for a duck, leaving the hosts 41 runs shy with 16 balls remaining.
Rutherford smashed a six to reach a half-century with seven balls remaining before exiting on 51 as West Indies couldn't pull off another last-over comeback.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
How England-India Test series became an all-time classic
England v India 2025 will go down as one of cricket's greatest Test series of all time, five matches crammed into seven weeks of unrelenting, see-saw drama ending in a 2-2 draw after India's extraordinary six-run win in the final game on Monday. Over 7,000 runs were scored, including a record-equalling 21 individual centuries, the sun shone most of the time and every match went into the fifth day. The stadiums were packed and although tensions flared at times on the pitch - perhaps inevitable given the immense pressure - it was a series that featured all the best things that make Test cricket such compulsive viewing. With more and more one-day cricket around the world, it was a timely boost for the longest format of the sport which many people believe is fighting for its existence. "It's been an incredible series, all five games going down to day five, so much has been put into this series from both teams," England captain Ben Stokes said. "The commitment and energy has been outstanding. Stood here now, we're bitterly disappointed we couldn't get the series win but, being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world." It all started at Headingley where three India batsmen made centuries, before a collapse that was to become a feature of the series, as they posted 471 and England replied with 465. Rishabh Pant's second hundred of the game led India to 364 before Ben Duckett's stroke-laden 149 inspired England's textbook chase of a huge target of 371 to complete a five-wicket win. ONE-SIDED TEST The second Test at Edgbaston was by far the most one-sided. India captain Shubman Gill made a brilliant 269 in his side's first-innings 587. Harry Brook's 158 was the foundation of England's 407 in reply, but Gill made 161 to take his match tally to 430 runs and the hosts could muster only 271 as India levelled the series with a crushing 336-run triumph. On to Lord's and as if to prove how well matched the teams were, they posted identical first-innings totals of 387, only the ninth time in Test history that has happened. Joe Root's 104 and KL Rahul's 100 were the major contributions on a tricky wicket devoid of pace. England could manage only 192 second time around but, as happened so often, the pendulum swung when they then reduced the touring side to 58-4 at the close on day four. At lunch on the final day, India were teetering on 112-8 but Ravindra Jadeja batted for well over three hours, and it was deep into the last session when spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled Mohammed Siraj to complete a 22-run England win. BAT DOMINATED At Old Trafford, the bat dominated once more. India made a respectable 358 before England racked up a massive 669, highlighted by Root's 150 and 141 from Stokes. Chris Woakes then took two wickets in the first over to reduce India to 0-2 before Rahul and Gill led a brilliant recovery. Gill made another hundred but when they both fell on the final morning England had plenty of time to take the six remaining wickets with India facing a seemingly impossible run chase. Jadeja and Washington Sundar had other ideas, however, and doggedly resisted, both reaching three figures after England effectively gave up and were reduced to bowling part-timer Harry Brook to allow the batsmen to get to their milestones quicker. The draw left England 2-1 up going into the final game at The Oval with the exertions of the series taking a heavy toll on both teams. England were missing all-rounder Stokes and fast bowler Jofra Archer while India were forced to leave out Pant and the world's top-ranked bowler in Jasprit Bumrah. England skittled India for 224 before eking out a narrow first-innings lead of 23. Yashasvi Jaiswal's second century of the series lifted the touring side to 396 and left England needing 374 for victory with two days remaining. TWIN CENTURIONS The hosts stumbled to 106-3 before twin centurions Root and Brook shared a superb fourth-wicket partnership of 195 to put England firmly in the driving seat with only 66 runs required. Brook's reckless dismissal, however, gave India hope and, led by the tireless Siraj, they picked up two more wickets before bad weather forced an early close to leave England needing 35 runs on the final day. The Oval was packed for an incredible one-hour cameo that encapsulated the entire series as England began the day with a more than 80% chance of victory, according to the Winviz predictor. But Siraj was inspired again and with England's batsmen losing their heads and their wickets, Woakes arrived at the crease wearing a sling to protect his dislocated shoulder. Even then, England edged towards their target as Gus Atkinson farmed the strike and hit Siraj for six, only for the abrasive fast bowler to end proceedings with a brilliant yorker. It was just reward for India, who lost the toss in all five matches, as they claimed their narrowest-ever test win. "All the doubters saying Test cricket is dying a death, this series has said the opposite," Stokes added.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Asia Cup in UAE: Fake tickets worth over Dh11,000 being sold for India-Pakistan clash
Since the much-awaited Asia Cup schedule was announced earlier this week, fans have been waiting for an official announcement on tickets with bated breath. Cricket rivals India and Pakistan will be facing each other on the field on September 14 during the group-stage matches. Fans across the cricketing world follow every ball when the two clash on a cricket field. Tickets for the highly anticipated game often sell out in no time. Last time, when India and Pakistan faced each other in the UAE for the ICC Champions Trophy, many queued for at least an hour before realising that all tickets for the clash were gone. If you're among those cricket fanatics attempting to get their hands on a pass this time, you should keep an eye out for potential scammers. Some websites offering fake tickets have already gone live. Elaborate scam A simple Google search by Khaleej Times with the words 'Asia Cup tickets India Pakistan' revealed a flurry of websites offering passes to the game. Some were even 'sponsored' websites being displayed at ideal locations on the Google search page. Their ideal location on the search page makes it much easier for an unsuspecting fan to click on the website and fall victim to a scam. One website is offering a single 'VIP' pass for over Dh11,000. Other reselling websites are also offering the passes inflated rates. 'General Admission' passes begin at over Dh1,500 on these websites. Take a look at some of these websites offering them, below: Official tickets, however, are not yet being sold. So far, there has been no announcement on when tickets will be released, although fans expect the passes to go on sale soon. Authorities in UAE have time and again issued adviories and warnings, urging residents to avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Meet 12-year-old Dubai pace bowler who bowls with both arms
Dubai resident Ramprasad Dommaraju, a former club cricketer in Chennai, India, could not believe his eyes when his then six-year-old son, Mahidhaar, ran into bowl with a classical left-arm action while playing cricket in the backyard. 'I didn't know how to react as my son always bowled right-arm pace,' Ramprasad recalled. "He is a natural right-hander. He does everything with his right hand. So to see him suddenly bowl left-arm with the same action and speed was unbelievable. It was like watching Mitchell Starc with that high-arm action" Mahidhaar is now 12, taking a truckload of wickets in age-group tournaments not only in the UAE, but also in Oman and Sri Lanka. But what's even more remarkable is that he has made amazing progress as an ambidextrous bowler — sometimes changing from right-arm pace to left-arm pace in the same over, leaving batters in a helpless position. 'There is no one else like him in the UAE,' Ramprasad said. Lankan mystery To put things in perspective, Kamindu Mendis, the Sri Lankan batter who has made a terrific start to his Test career with a string of big scores, is the only player in international cricket who could bowl with both arms. Last month, Mendis bowled a match-winning spell (5-0-19-3) in a one-day international against Bangladesh when he got two wickets with his left-arm spin and one with right-arm off-break. The Sri Lankan also became the first bowler in IPL (Indian Premier League) history earlier this year when he bowled with both hands during a match between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. 'But Mendis is a spinner, there are few such spinners in cricket-playing countries across the world. But it's extremely rare to find a pace bowler who could bowl with both arms with the same speed,' Ramprasad said. Son of acclaimed Tamil actor, Nalinikanth, Ramprasad also checked with his friends in Indian cricket to see if they had come across young ambidextrous pace bowlers. 'One of my friends worked in the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), and he told me that they have never found a bowler who could bowl pace with both arms. There are a few spinners, but no such pace bowler has been discovered until now in India,' he said. Curious case of Yasir Across the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, Yasir Jan made headlines for his ability to bowl quick with both left arm and right arm. Such was his talent that Lahore Qalandars, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, gave the youngster a 10-year development contract in 2016. But unable to cope with some serious injury setbacks, Yasir has since faded into oblivion. Muhammad Ijaz, a former Pakistani first-class cricketer, is now carefully monitoring the progress of Mahidhaar, giving a lot of importance to his fitness. 'I have taught him a few things in terms of technique, but we are also making sure he improves his fitness. He works very hard and he is very passionate about cricket,' said Ijaz, who is now coaching youngsters at Desert Cubs Cricket Academy in the UAE. A former teammate of Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, Ijaz is truly amazed by the unique skills of Mahidhaar. 'In all my years of playing cricket and coaching youngsters, I have seen a few spinners who bowl with both arms. But I had never seen a pace bowler who could bowl both right arm and left arm until I met this kid,' he said. 'Mahi is unique. Spinners I can understand because they are slow bowlers, but to do this while bowling fast is unbelievable.' Mahidhaar, who never raises his voice above a whisper, is dreaming of playing for India as well as for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the IPL franchise for which his idol, Virat Kohli, plays. 'He has great potential, and I think in two or three years' time, we could see him play at a high level. But, of course, a lot of work needs to be done, and he needs to continue working hard on his game,' Ijaz said. Strong family support Apart from his strengths as an ambidextrous pace bowler who bowls a beautiful inswinger and his newfound ability to hit sixes with the bat, Mahidhaar's greatest advantage is his supportive family. Despite being without a job, Ramprasad has left no stone unturned in his attempts to give Mahidhaar the best opportunities as a rising cricketer. 'I don't have a job now, so it's been very difficult. My wife (Shalini Ramprasad) is a dentist, but you know how tough it is. We have faced a lot of challenges, but we have never made any compromises when it comes to our son's cricketing dreams,' Ramprasad said. Coach Ijaz also acknowledges that the unwavering support from the parents has played the biggest role in Mahidhaar's promising career. 'Yes, his biggest advantage is his parents, who are so supportive. They also bring him to the ground on weekdays. Normally, you see kids in the UAE training only at weekends, but his father always brings him to the ground. That's really commendable,' Ijaz said. Can Mahidhaar repay the faith by playing at the highest level of cricket? "His skills as an ambidextrous pace bowler might give him an advantage," said Ramprasad, who is planning to take his son to India for domestic trials in the future. Ijaz, on the other hand, keeps his fingers crossed. 'Well, he has a long way to go, but he is unique. He is a very talented kid,' Ijaz said. 'He came to our academy as a bowling all-rounder, but his father asked me if I could also improve his batting. I taught him a few things, and his batting has now improved a lot. He scored three back-to-back half-centuries in a tournament. He is a quick learner and, as a coach, you always feel a sense of optimism with such kids!'
