An exemplary manner of securing a series victory was offered on Tuesday by Shai Hope, whose assured play steered the West Indies from the outset.
His unbeaten 120 constituted a captain’s innings that decisively removed the contest from Pakistan’s reach. Shattering 10 boundaries and 5 maximums, he propelled the total to a formidable 294. Pakistan, in the reply, rapidly appeared out of sorts and the West Indies departed the field with an emphatic 202-run triumph and the series trophy.
But the game truly turned when he was joined by Justin Greaves. Finishing unbeaten on 43, Greaves helped build a crucial 100-plus run stand for the seventh wicket that completely shifted the pressure and forced the opposition onto the back foot.
Pakistan’s chase never really took off. The margin of defeat underlined how decisive West Indies’ batting display had been, and Hope’s role was central to that.
The hundred was Hope’s 18th in ODIs and his fifth since becoming captain. That figure draws him level with Brian Lara for the most centuries by a West Indies ODI skipper. Chris Gayle follows with four.
Statistics from ESPNcricinfo show that Hope has now scored 1,571 runs in 38 ODIs as captain, averaging 54.17. Alongside his five centuries, he has eight fifties. His boundaries tally as captain stands at 104 fours and 53 sixes, milestones he crossed during this match.
It’s a record that might not surprise anyone who has watched him over the past few years. The calmness, the ability to build an innings, the way he seems to pace a chase or set a total — all of it adds up. And when that also equals a number once held by Lara, it’s going to be noticed.
The West Indies now turn their attention to the upcoming T20I series, but this ODI result gives them both momentum and a reminder of what a composed, in-form leader can deliver.
