Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam lead Pakistan to 3-0 sweep
They add 158 together as Pakistan make light work of a chase of 208 against severely depleted WI
They add 158 together as Pakistan make light work of a chase of 208 against severely depleted WI
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: @sreshthx
On that note, time to wish both Pakistan fans and West Indies fans the season's greetings. Hope you all enjoyed the series. We'll join you for more cricket in 2022, but before that, we wish you all a lovely end to 2021. Stay safe from the virus, get vaccinated and keep smiling! On behalf of Binoy and Hemant, this is Sreshth saying ta-da!
With Rizwan also named the Player of the Series, it is now time for the trophy celebration. Dahani is given the trophy since he is the most inexperienced member of the squad. Wasim sits next to him with the trophy and the squad smiles for a photo. Smiles all around - a wonderful way for Pakistan to end their year, even though it ended abruptly. Remember, the ODI series has been postponed to June 2022 because of the Covid outbreak in the West Indies squad.
9.54pm Time for the presentation.
Babar Azam, Pakistan captain: "Our plan was that we had to play according to the situation. Rizwan and I thought of going till the end and keep managing the run rate. The way the bowlers put an effort - Wasim, Shaheen, Haris, Dahani, Hasnain - overall it was a team effort. Our bench strength got a good workout too. A great sign for me as a captain. We all know runs keep going more in T20I cricket, and the way we are scoring is the best thing for us. The way Rizwan has played through 2021, the way he has improved his batting, the way he has made us win games.... I think there's a lot for youngsters to learn from there."
Mohammad Rizwan is the Player of the Match for his 87. He says, "Chasing 200+ is a big target, but we thought that the way they batted with aggression, we had to do the same too. Our coach told us that we need to clear the circle. Thanking Allah for the 2000+ runs this year. I go match by match when I play. I have worked on my pull because you need to pick the length. I am now trying to improve on the off side.
Nicholas Pooran, West Indies captain: "I felt that the last two overs, we definitely lost momentum. Pakistan bowled well in the back end. We were 20 runs short on this wicket. Very tough to prepare with the virus. Most of the guys did not sleep last night, so I am very proud of the way they have played. We went from strength to strength every game. Its a special team, a special bunch of guys. We competed throughout the series."
Ameer Hamza: "A perfect game of T20 batting from both sides. isn't it? " -- West Indies were probably 20 runs short, I guess. Wasim and Dahani bowled two top overs in the 19th and the 20th.
Rashid: "I'm signing off with a bow to cric info for providing fans a fabulous commentary. Thanks cricinfo. A huge thanks to WI too for touring Pakistan. God bless always and good night from Japan "
9.45pm Stick around for the presentation. And reactions.
Noor: "Regardless of the result, WI is the real winner. "
Sumail Hussain: "Pakistan shows what can it do at home. It has been missing home advantage for long time. Other teams should come here"
Fiaz: "Huge winners of the HEART WI - Well done young WI lions!!"
9.40pm If you were at the ground today, you would've had a blast. West Indies entertained with their batting courtesy King, Brooks and Pooran. Dahani impressed in his second T20I. Babar oozed class. Rizwan gave us a reminder that he is the king of 2021. And finally Asif Ali's entertaining cameo. It's a 3-0 win for Pakistan, but its been a valiant effort today with a depleted squad from West Indies.
The teams congratulate each other on the effort - Pakistan will be delighted that West Indies graced their shores in a year that has been difficult for them in terms of home tours. The crowd and all Pakistan fans will also acknowledge West Indies for coming over. A reminder: this was Pakistan's 20th T20I win of the year.
Karim: "Define a "High impact" innings with specified runs to balls ratios. Track those innings im T20s for batsmen, just like we track 50s and 100s. We need to find a better way to mainstream stats that quantify the impact made by batsmen playing lower down the order"
Muhammad Shahba: "Dhani POM, Rizwan POS- Sorted "
Alber Soomro: "So, M. Rizwan signs off 2021 T20's as only batter to score 2000 runs in T20's, only batter to score 1000 in T20I "
Farra: "Being a pedant but I think it wasn't a drop on the last ball as it was a free hit" -- You're not wrong. But neither are we! Haha.
Aaza : "@Qasim it's POM now, not MOM "
Iftikhar.
Fakhar Zaman c Brooks b Shepherd 12 (23m 8b 2x4 0x6) SR: 150.00
Qasim: "So who should be the MOM? Dahani or Rizwan?" -- On this surface, probably Dahani? But I feel Rizwan will get it
Mitchell Starc has broken into the top ten for Test bowlers
They add 158 together as Pakistan make light work of a chase of 208 against severely depleted WI
Several players in the visiting squad testing positive for Covid-19 forces the development
Hosts could look to rest some of their bowlers with a packed ODI series coming up shortly