Player of the Match
Player of the Match

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.

18.5
1
Shepherd to Asif Ali, 1 run, Pakistan complete their highest ever T20I chase! Full on middle, and Asif goes for the glory shot. Looks to cream a six over long on but its sliced in the air. Powell runs in to catch but its dropped. Pakistan win by seven wickets
18.5
5nb
Shepherd to Asif Ali, (no ball) FOUR, waist-high full toss around leg stump. Asif swivels, and swipes it off his chest region for four behind square on the leg side. Salt on wound.... no ball for height
18.4
0
Shepherd to Asif Ali, no run, back of a length, on leg stump. Ducks under it
18.3
6
Shepherd to Asif Ali, SIX, strike-rate of 400 now from Asif. Full on middle, and he clears the front leg before clobbering a six over deep midwicket. It made such a beautiful sound off the bat, like an ustad playing the tabla

Aaza : "@Qasim it's POM now, not MOM "

18.2
1
Shepherd to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run, comes around the stumps. Yorker length on leg stump, and clipped to deep backward square leg

Iftikhar.

18.1
W
Shepherd to Fakhar Zaman, OUT, taken at long on! Full toss outside off, and Fakhar tries to hammer it for six. But its off the bat's bottom half, and easy catch on the boundary line

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

END OF OVER:
18 | 13 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 195/2 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 10.83, RRR: 6.50)

  • Asif Ali10 (3b)
  • Fakhar Zaman12 (7b)
  • Dominic Drakes4-0-37-1
  • Romario Shepherd3-0-40-0

SM: "What a shot that was from Asif. Hitting a six on off side with such ease."

17.6
6
Drakes to Asif Ali, SIX, oh my! Such strong wrists. Length ball on off, and angling across. Asif just nonchalantly meets it in front of his body, and clatters it over cover for half a dozen!
17.5
4
Drakes to Asif Ali, FOUR, much to the crowd's relief! Back of a length, on leg stump, and punished to backward square leg! A flick, a very gentle flick, off his waist. Drakes apologises to the captain for that line and length. There was no protection behind square on the leg side, and Drakes clearly did not bowl according to the field
17.4
0
Drakes to Asif Ali, no run, dot ball. Drakes mixing it up. Back of a length on middle, and angling across. Asif tries to pull but the ball goes through to the keeper

Arsalan: "Thankyou Riswan for such entertaining year, Thankyou Windies for Touring Pakistan in Tough times. Thankyou cricinfo for posting my comment. CHeers!"

Raja Aadi: "So the difference between the two sides is Shahnawaz Dhani. "

17.3
1
Drakes to Fakhar Zaman, 1 run, full on off, and he shovels a lofted shot down the ground. Long on is there though

Asif at No. 4.

17.2
W
Drakes to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT, full toss, outside off. Tries to slog it to the leg side but its sliced in the air! Pooran runs to short fine leg and with the gloves on, he grabs that easily. Rizwan is disappointed as he walks off, but the crowd murmurs into a congratulatory roar to celebrate his effort. But hey, can West Indies now hurt Pakistan? 24 needed in 16

Mohammad Rizwan c †Pooran b Drakes 87 (93m 45b 10x4 3x6) SR: 193.33

17.2
1w
Drakes to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 wide, back of a length, loopy ball through to the keeper. The slower ball is not in control, and that's one extra run to the total

Umair Waqas: "Fakhar should do an Uthapa here for Rizwan,as he supported Rohit to score 264 by taking just singles consistently.."

17.1
1
Drakes to Fakhar Zaman, 1 run, and as our reader Alishan said before the ball, Fakhar takes the single. Although he did try to go for a big shot. Good length outside off. Drags a pull to deep backward square leg

Required run rate now less than 9.

alishan: "someone pass the message to fakhar just take singles. no need of big shots from him at least today. let rizwan enjoy the party"

END OF OVER:
17 | 13 Runs | PAK: 182/1 (26 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 10.70, RRR: 8.66)

  • Mohammad Rizwan87 (44b)
  • Fakhar Zaman10 (5b)
  • Romario Shepherd3-0-40-0
  • Odean Smith3-0-34-1
16.6
0
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, no run, full outside off. Rizwan had premeditated a scoop over short fine leg but the line didn't allow him to pull it off. Through to the keeper
16.5
4
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR, 87! Imperious batting. Full outside off, and he just leans into a lofted drive to long off! Ball lands just inside the line. Rizwan thought it was six, and is surprised when the umpire declares it four
16.4
4
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR, moves into the eighties! Pakistan need 30, Rizwan needs 17. Good length ball on middle, and he just works a checked pull behind square to fine leg for four more

NOUMAN: "From 16 overs onwards, WI only scored 3 boundaries and that will hurt them." -- Without a doubt it can hurt. No boundaries for the last 16 balls in the first innings.

16.3
1
Shepherd to Fakhar Zaman, 1 run, full toss, outside off. Caresses a drive to deep extra cover for a single

Zain: "@Shahin this is not the old Pakistan team. It actually has the ability to snatch victory from jaws of defeat."

16.2
1
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 run, full outside off. Gets low and flicks it to short fine leg for a single

Arsalan: "If Riswan makes a century, It will be perfect ending of this year for Riswan"

Jawad Rasool: "Rizwan should be called RIZ-WON now.. this boy has lifted the whole nation"s morale in a few months. "

16.1
2
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, 2 runs, full outside off, almost on the tramlines. Rizwan gets low and drags a sweep to deep square leg. Two more to the total. Rizwan is down again. Cramps?
16.1
1w
Shepherd to Mohammad Rizwan, 1 wide, looks to go full and wide. Rizwan walks across, gets close to the ball, but lets it go. Wide given despite Rizwan walking across before the ball was bowled. Bowler will feel unlucky there

Sachin Gaire: "Marnus and Warner made the day ...Babar and Rizwan close the day ..What a talented pair "

Here's Shepherd. Economy of 13.5 tonight.

END OF OVER:
16 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 169/1 (39 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 10.56, RRR: 9.75)

  • Fakhar Zaman9 (4b)
  • Mohammad Rizwan76 (39b)
  • Odean Smith3-0-34-1
  • Hayden Walsh2-0-30-0

Sheikh: "Some are waiting for Pakistan victory. But many are waiting for Rizwan's century! Go on RizuBoy!"

15.6
0
Smith to Fakhar Zaman, no run, that was an interesting over. A wicket, a top boundary, and a lucky four. Ends it with a yorker on off stump. Wedged onto his boots

Pakistan 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st158Mohammad RizwanBabar Azam
2nd26Mohammad RizwanFakhar Zaman
3rd11Asif AliFakhar Zaman
4th13Iftikhar AhmedAsif Ali