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WI won by 2 wickets

09:08 AM IST, 11:38 PM Local Time: NERVES OF STEEL FROM JASON HOLDER AS HE FINISHES OFF THE GAME ON THE LAST DELIVERY. A MUCH-NEEDED WIN FOR THE WEST INDIES TO BREAK A 6-MATCH LOSING STREAK IN THE FORMAT. WITH THIS, THEY ALSO LEVEL THE SERIES 1-1 WITH A GAME LEFT.

Chasing 134 for victory, West Indies lost their first wicket in the 2^nd over itself as Mohammad Nawaz trapped Alick Athanaze in front. Captain Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew played some pleasant strokes off the seamers but Nawaz had them tied on a string. The left-arm spinner eventually had Andrew caught at short third in the 4^th over as well before the West Indies finished the Powerplay at 34/2.

Sherfane Rutherford’s struggles against spin continued as well with Saim Ayub bowling a superb off-spinner to strike his pad in the 8^th over. The runs completely dried up with the spinners operating in tandem and Nawaz had a third scalp when Hope chipped a length delivery straight down the pitch. The hosts continued to slip with Roston Chase holing out to long-on off Saim’s bowling in the 14^th over.

Just as the game seemed done and dusted, Gudakesh Motie struck a couple of sixes off Hasan Ali as the 16^th over brought 16 runs. The game turned towards Pakistan’s side once again when Motie was run-out courtesy some smart work from Mohammad Haris. A few deliveries later, Haris also took a fantastic catch to send back Keacy Carty off Sufiyan Muqeem’s bowling.

The hosts needed 36 off the last 18 balls and the duo of Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder combined to take 12 runs off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling. Shepherd then went into over-drive in the penultimate over as he smashed Hasan Ali in an over which travelled for 16 runs.

With 8 needed off the final over, Shaheen Afridi was handed a tough task but he gave some hope to his side by getting rid of Shepherd on the second delivery. The equation came down to 3 off the last ball when Holder heaved the ball past the fielder at short fine-leg as the fans started to celebrate to their hearts fulfillment. 

Earlier in the match, Pakistan fell into early trouble at 21/3 in the 5^th over and later 53/4. However, a superb 60-run partnership between captain, Agha Salman and Hasan Nawaz helped Pakistan get on track for a decent total. Yet, Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie bowled superbly during the final overs as Pakistan collapsed to end up with 133/9 off their 20 overs. Nawaz top-scored for Pakistan with 40 off 23 balls while Holder picked up 4/19 from his four overs.

Time for the post-match presentation.

Jason Holder (Player of the Match): "I just wanted to take the team over the line. It has been a tough coupleof weeks for us. We wanted this victory. Fortunately we got over the line. I told Romario that we need at least four sixes in the last three overs but got three only. But we found the gaps. Credit to the Pakistan bowlers too. They kept it tight.

Look, as per the bowling unit, the Australia series gave us a lot of positives. We took wickets in every phase of the game. It is pleasing to watch. I love playing for West Indies. We still have a lot of work to be done. Consistency is needed. We tried to create a difference and hopefully we will be able to do that."

Salman Agha (Pakistan Captain): "In this game, we didn't bat well in the Powerplay and we couldn't finish the game we wanted as well. But we bowled and fielded well, proud of it. We bowled very well but there is always room for improvement. Defending a target of 134 is always tough but we did well. The spinners bowled in both the games, we are ready for the Asia Cup since there will be a lot of support for them in Dubai. (About the fans) They always support us wherever we play, thankful to them."

Shai Hope (West Indies Captain): "Firstly hats off to the bowlers for setting the game for us. Credits to them for restricting the opposition to a low score. The pitch was a bit challenging.

We understand that we had a limited time to overcome the struggles. The guys gave their time in the nets to improve their skills. It was tough for us to execute our skills. I think getting more singles in the middle is needed. This pitch was not conducive to stroke making. We will try to execute better tomorrow and hopefully we can get a series victory then."

So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj, my co-commentator, Saptak Sanyal and our scorer for this match, Ashok Dayma as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Stay tuned and join our coverage of the Day 4 of the 5th Test between England and India. Until then, it is a warm good-bye from us.