Pakistan ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan failed to step up when his side needed it the most as he was dismissed for a golden duck by West Indies pacer Jayden Seales in the third and final match of the three-game series in Tarouba, Trinidad. Pakistan were dismissed for 92 inside 30 overs as the visitors stumbled to a 202-run loss in the series decider. What left everyone shocked and surprised was the nature of Mohammad Rizwan‘s wicket as the right-handed batter let go of a straight delivery, overseeing it crash into his off-stump.
The incident happened on the fifth ball of the third over, bowled by Jayden Seales. The pacer bowled a good length delivery outside off. The ball hit the deck and nipped back in. The delivery eventually hit the top of the off-stump after the Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan shouldered his arms.
Mohammad Rizwan was left completely flummoxed as the ball disturbed his wickets. He stood there in disbelief for at least 5-10 seconds, sporting a look of absolute disbelief and bewilderment. At the time, the commentator on air said,
“What an amazing delivery. And the bowling coach is very pleased with this result. Almost to say, ‘How dare you, Rizwan? How dare you leave that delivery?”
“Pitching and swinging in, just clipping the off-stump bail. A bowling plan is coming to perfection for this youngster,” she added.
As soon as Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps were rattled, Seales and the entire Windies team erupted in joy. The pacer started to run and celebrate the wicket as if there was no tomorrow. Pakistan’s innings included five ducks as Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Rizwan, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed failed to get on the scoreboard. Seales returned with figures of 6/18 and was adjudged as Player of the Series for his haul of ten wickets in the three matches.
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has now gone 72 innings in international cricket without scoring a century. His last ton in international cricket came in the Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal. Babar Azam was dismissed for nine runs in the third and final ODI. In the previous match, he had registered a gold after being dismissed on the third delivery he faced.
Both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are out of favours when it comes to T20Is and the duo are unlikely to make it to the Asia Cup squad considering Pakistan won the three-match T20I series against West Indies without them. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar didn’t mince his words as he criticised the Pakistan batting unit for its flop show in the decisive third ODI against West Indies.
Pakistan cricket is facing a moment of reflection after a crushing ODI series defeat against the West Indies, with the Caribbean side claiming their first series win over Pakistan since 1991.
The decisive third match at Tarouba ended in a 202-run humiliation for the visitors, as Pakistan’s chase collapsed to a paltry 92 all out while attempting to chase 295. West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales stole the show with sensational figures of 6/18, while captain Shai Hope anchored the hosts’ innings with an unbeaten century, leaving Pakistan reeling under pressure.
The collapse exposed cracks in Pakistan’s batting lineup, and former speedster Shoaib Akhtar didn’t hold back in his critique. Speaking on the Game On Hai show, Shoaib Akhtar lambasted the team for lacking collective intent.
Shoaib Akhtar furious with Mohammad Rizwan & Co
Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has said that while Pakistan once used to have expressive and explosive talent, over the years, cricketers have started playing for themselves, adding that a slight seam movement off the pitch is repeatedly putting the Pakistan batters in trouble.In the decisive third game at Tarouba, Pakistan suffered a crushing 202-run loss to the Windies, folding for just 92 in pursuit of a 295-run target.
Pakistan slumped from 23/4 to 92 all out, a collapse that laid bare the flaws in their batting lineup, prompting an unrestrained critique from Akhtar.
“We used to have expressive and explosive talent and we played like that. We were never dependent on one individual; everyone chipped in,” Akhtar said while speaking on the Game On Hai show.
“No one used to look for escape routes. The environment has changed and in the last 10–15 years, everyone has started playing for themselves. Everyone is playing for their averages,” Akhtar added.
“We need to change the intent, the mindset and create that atmosphere. You need to play according to modern cricket. How hard is that to understand?” Akhtar questioned.
Three of the top four batters, including captain Mohammad Rizwan, dismissed for a golden duck by Jayden Seales, fell without scoring, encapsulating the batting disaster.
“Halka sa seam hota hai toh musibat padh jaati hai (The ball moves a bit and they are in trouble). Rawalpindi pitch lekar nahi ghoom sakte (You can’t carry Pindi pitches everywhere),” Akhtar said.
Pakistan will next be in action on August 29 against Afghanistan in a tri-series that features the UAE as well, serving as preparation for the Asia Cup in September. On Tuesday, an inspired Seales led the Windies to a crushing 202-run win against Pakistan in the third and deciding ODI in Trinidad. Jayden Seales blew away the Pakistan top order en route to figures of 6/18 as the tourists were bundled out for only 92 in a chase of 295 to win.
Since the Champions Trophy, where they couldn’t manage to win even a single match, the side has been in poor form. They went on to lose the series against New Zealand too, 0-3. And now, lost against West Indies 1-2.
Also Read: WI vs PAK: West Indies Level Series At 1-1 After Nervy Win In Rain-Reduced Game