Motie and Holder shine in thrilling West Indies T20 victory
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — The West Indies men’s cricket team ended a six-match T20 International losing streak with a dramatic last-ball win over Pakistan on Saturday night. The gripping finish at Central Broward Regional Park leveled the three-match series at 1–1 and set the stage for a winner-takes-all decider on Sunday.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but West Indies struck early. A tight opening spell removed top-order batters Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Mohammad Haris during the powerplay. The Caribbean side applied pressure from the outset and disrupted Pakistan’s rhythm.
Pakistani captain Salman Agha steadied the innings with a patient 38, while Hasan Nawaz chipped in with useful runs. But with wickets falling consistently, Pakistan failed to build any lasting partnerships and were restricted to a modest total of 133 runs from their 20 overs.
Jason Holder emerged as the standout performer with the ball. The Barbadian all-rounder claimed four wickets for just 19 runs, becoming the West Indies’ all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. He surpassed Dwayne Bravo’s mark of 78 wickets and delivered a crucial performance when his team needed it most.
The West Indies’ response got off to a rocky start. Openers Alick Athanaze and Jewel Andrew were both dismissed in the power play. Struggling against spin, the middle order found it difficult to build momentum, and Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control as the required run rate climbed.
Guyanese left-hander Gudakesh Motie changed the narrative with a spirited knock of 28 off 20 balls. He struck vital boundaries and partnered with Romario Shepherd, who added 15 off 11 deliveries. Their lower-order surge brought the target within reach, but the task remained steep.
Motie was run out by a direct hit from Mohammad Haris, and with the required run rate rising above 10, West Indies appeared to be on the brink of another defeat.
But Jason Holder stepped in again.
Displaying composure under pressure, Holder guided the team toward the finish line. Facing the final delivery with four runs needed, a wide from Shaheen Shah Afridi reduced the target to three. Holder then calmly guided the final ball to the leg-side boundary, clinching a thrilling win and sending the crowd into celebration.
With four wickets, two catches, and the winning shot, Holder was named Player of the Match. Speaking to the press after the game, he shared his motivation:
“One of my things is to leave West Indies cricket better than when I came and found it. I still think there’s a lot of work to be done. For me, it’s about having that burning desire to make a change, to make a difference. So I keep putting in my best effort whenever I get the chance with the West Indies.”
The result marked only the third win for the West Indies in their last 20 T20 Internationals. The team will look to carry this momentum into Sunday’s series finale, where a win could provide much-needed stability and confidence heading into future tournaments.
Cricket fans across the Caribbean will be watching closely, hopeful that Holder and company can secure back-to-back victories and restore pride in the West Indies T20 campaign.
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