With the ODI series on the line, the West Indies produced an absolutely dominant performance to crush Pakistan in the decider. They sealed the trophy with a huge 202-run win, all thanks to a sensational spell of fast bowling from Jayden Seales at the Brian Lara Stadium. He completely dismantled the visitors, taking six wickets for a mere 18 runs.
His spell was not only the best by a West Indies bowler against Pakistan in one-day cricket but also the third-best figures in the team’s ODI history. Pakistan, chasing 295, collapsed for 92. It was a one-sided finish to what had been a competitive series, giving the home side a 2-1 win.
Seales’ performance broke Franklyn Rose’s long-standing record of 5/23 against Pakistan. For perspective, only two West Indian bowlers have ever done better in ODIs. Winston Davis produced 7/51 against Australia during the 1983 World Cup at Edgbaston, a spell that remains unmatched for the Caribbean side. Colin Croft’s 6/15 against England in Kingston in 1981 is the second-best, remembered for helping defend a modest total of 127.
The latest effort by Seales came 25 years after Rose’s feat. West Indies had earlier posted 294 for 6 in their 50 overs, with contributions across the batting order. Pakistan never looked settled in reply and were undone by the young quick’s pace and control.
For West Indies, this victory holds symbolic weight. The team has often struggled for consistency in ODIs over the past decade, but individual performances like Seales’ keep reviving memories of their rich bowling history.
Records may come and go, but for Seales, the night in Tarouba will be remembered as a moment that tied his name to Davis and Croft in West Indies’ cricketing story.
