Pakistan v West Indies, 2016-17
Wisden's review of the third ODI, Pakistan v West Indies, 2016-17
15-Apr-2017
At Abu Dhabi, October 5, 2016 (day/night). Pakistan won by 136 runs. Toss: Pakistan. One-day international debut: E. Lewis.
If Babar Azam stole the headlines, Azhar Ali earned valuable breathing space. His spot had been under threat and, after nine runs in the first two games, criticism was growing. His method appeared out of place in white-ball cricket, but he responded with his third one-day hundred as Pakistan captain, more than any other. He put on 147 for the second wicket with Babar, who hit another assured century to become the highest run-scorer in a three-match series, and the third Pakistani to score three in a row. As in the other games, Pakistan's finish lacked power-hitters: just two boundaries came from the last ten overs. Other sides will exploit that weakness, but West Indies rendered it irrelevant. They were unable to work out another slow surface, and only Holder's strike-rate broke 100.
Man of the Match: Babar Azam. Man of the Series: Babar Azam.
If Babar Azam stole the headlines, Azhar Ali earned valuable breathing space. His spot had been under threat and, after nine runs in the first two games, criticism was growing. His method appeared out of place in white-ball cricket, but he responded with his third one-day hundred as Pakistan captain, more than any other. He put on 147 for the second wicket with Babar, who hit another assured century to become the highest run-scorer in a three-match series, and the third Pakistani to score three in a row. As in the other games, Pakistan's finish lacked power-hitters: just two boundaries came from the last ten overs. Other sides will exploit that weakness, but West Indies rendered it irrelevant. They were unable to work out another slow surface, and only Holder's strike-rate broke 100.
Man of the Match: Babar Azam. Man of the Series: Babar Azam.