Shadab gives Pakistan ODI series sweep against West Indies

The series win lifted Pakistan to No. 4 on the points table — immediately above West Indies — in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League

Shadab Khan’s brilliant all-round performance led Pakistan to a 53-run win over West Indies in the third one-day international on June 12 and a 3-0 series sweep.

Shadab’s career-best 86 off 78 balls revived Pakistan to 269-9 after the hosts chose to bat first and their top order stumbled against the surprise off-spin of Nicholas Pooran, who finished with 4-48 in 10 overs.

West Indies' own struggle against spin continued as its middle order again capitulated against Shadab (4-62) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-56). The visitors were bowled out for 216 in 37.2 overs, losing by 53 runs under the DLS method. A dust storm in Multan suspended play for an hour during Pakistan’s innings and the match was reduced to 48 overs a side.

No. 7 batter Akeal Hosein smashed six sixes and two fours to top-score for West Indies with 60 off 37 balls before he was undone by Shadab’s sharp delivery and stumped.

“We executed our plans and got the desired results,” Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said. “We are trying different combinations with bat and ball. We will try to keep continuity and also test our bench strength.”

Thanks to Pooran, Pakistan had slipped to 117-5 halfway through its innings despite a good start. Imam-ul-Haq (62), who hit his seventh-straight ODI half century, added 85 runs for the first wicket with Fakhar Zaman (35).

But Pooran, who had bowled just three balls in previous ODIs, stunned Pakistan with his bounce and sharp spin.