West Indies wrapped up the three-match ODI series with the 23-year-old sensation Jayden Seales taking home Player of the Series honours.
Series Context
The ODI leg of Pakistan’s 2025 tour of the West Indies was short but historically significant. Played between August 8, 2025, to August 12, 202,5, in Tarouba, it marked the host’s first bilateral ODI series triumph over Pakistan in 34 years, ending a drought that stretched back to 1991.
FIRST ODI – Hassan’s Heroics on Debut
Pakistan began the series on a high, chasing down 280 with five wickets in hand and seven balls to spare. The day belonged to the debutant Hassan Nawa,z who scored an unbeaten 63, exhibiting sheer resilience and remarkable skills. Mohammad Rizwan (53) and Hussain Talat (41*) remained clinical to guide the chase till the end. For the hosts, Evin Lewis (60), Shai Hope (55) and Roston Chase (53) built a solid platform but Pakistan quicks, led by Shaheen Afridi, eventually got the better of them. Pakistan drew first blood in the series and were expected to carry the momentum forward in the series.
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SECOND ODI – West Indies Fight Back
The second ODI was interrupted by rain, after which the West Indies successfully chased their revised target of 181 in the 35 overs under the DLS method. Pakistan set off to a shaky start with Jayden Seales dismantling the top order, and ended with stunning figures of 3 for 23. Batting under revised conditions, the hosts were composed throughout their innings with Roston Chase (49*), Sherfane Rutherford (45), and Shai Hope (32) ensuring that they chased the total with five wickets in hand. Pakistan captain, Mohammad Rizwa,n later admitted that the over-dependence on the part timer bowlers had cost them to lose momentum in the middle overs of the game.
THIRD ODI – Record-Breaking Decider
With the series on-line, the West Indies delivered an all-time performance in the decider. Being put into bat first, captain Shai Hope scored a magnificent unbeaten 120* – his 18th in the format, taking his side to 294/6. Pakistan’s quicks fell short at death, with Naseem Shah proving expensive and finishing with an economy rate of 7. Then came the demolition: Jayden Seales tore through Pakistan’s batting with figures of 6-18, the third-best figures for the West Indies and their best since the 1983 World Cup. Pakistan crumbled to just 92 all out, giving West Indies a 202-run win – securing their largest ever ODI win over Pakistan. This emphatic and all-round performance sealed the series 2-1 and put an end to more than three decades of ODI frustration against this opponent.
Series Insights & Analysis
Momentum shift: The visitors started well but failed to carry the momentum throughout, which cost them the series.
Debut delight: One of the positives from the visitors’ side was the destructive and innovative debutant batter Hassan Nawaz, who gave Pakistan hope early on in the series.
Bowling depth concerns: The over-reliance on part-timers like Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha backfired in the second ODI, exposing the shortage of middle-overs bowling options. This inability to take hold of the game at key moments cost them the chance to seize crucial advantages. Death bowling was another area of concern throughout this series, a weakness that was laid bare in the final ODI.
West Indies stars: 23-year-old rising star Jayden Seales emerged as a lethal pace attack leader, picking up 10 wickets in the series, which included his career best 6-22 in the 3rd ODI. Shai Hope, consistent as ever, delivered at the top, serving as the backbone of the team.
History and records: West Indies finally put an end to the 34-year drought and were victorious against Pakistan for the first time since 1991. Jayden Seales produced career-best figures, the third-best bowling by a West Indian bowler in ODI history.
Final Word
The three-match ODI series offered everything – drama, redemption, and tension. Pakistan’s early optimism was crushed by the ever resilient West Indies, who clawed back into the series, delivering two back-to-back stellar hometown performances. Hope’s steady anchoring and Seales’ fiery pace ensured the Caribbean side had the last laugh. The hosts have a number of positives to take away from this series, especially the confidence that they have gained from defeating long-time rivals after nearly three decades. On the contrary, this series has left Pakistan with ringing warning signs – from thin middle over bowling reserves to typical batting collapses and death bowling concerns – all of which need to be addressed before the next series.
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