Florida — August 2, 2025
Jason Holder delivered a nerve-shredding finale under the Lauderhill lights on Saturday night, hammering a boundary off the final ball to seal a two-wicket win for the West Indies over Pakistan — and keep the three-match T20 series alive heading into the decider.
Not only did Holder finish unbeaten on 16, but earlier he also became West Indies’ all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, claiming 4 for 26 to surpass Dwayne Bravo’s record of 78 wickets. His performance dragged the Windies out of a worrying slump, snapping a six-match losing streak that included a brutal 5-0 sweep by Australia just weeks ago.
A Fragile Chase Becomes a Thriller
Chasing a modest 134, the West Indies were anything but comfortable. At 96 for 6 in the 17th over, with top-scorer Gudakesh Motie (28) already back in the pavilion and Keacy Carty dismissed for a duck, the hosts were in deep trouble.
Holder, however, refused to fold. He cleared the ropes at the end of the 18th over, but the equation remained tight: 24 needed off the last 12 balls.
Romario Shepherd then turned the momentum, smashing Hasan Ali for a six and a four in the 19th over to narrow the gap. But Pakistan hit back in the final over when Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Shepherd lbw, leaving the Windies needing six runs from the last three balls with only one wicket in hand.
Shamar Joseph, on debut, coolly collected a single, and Holder kept the chase alive with another. A wide from Afridi left the West Indies needing three off the final delivery. Holder then delivered the killer blow — a crunching four — to finish the match and level the series 1-1.
Pakistan’s Batting Falters After Strong Start
Earlier, after choosing to bat first, Pakistan struggled to build momentum. Hasan Nawaz’s brisk 40, laced with four sixes, provided early spark, and captain Salman Agha chipped in with 38. But the rest of the lineup failed to capitalize, slumping to 133 for 9 by the end of the innings.
Holder’s spell was key in stalling Pakistan’s middle order, with support from the rest of the Windies bowling unit ensuring wickets fell at regular intervals.
All to Play for in the Decider
The win sets up a Sunday-night showdown, also in Florida, with the series on the line. For West Indies, it’s a chance to show signs of recovery in a World Cup year. For Pakistan, it’s an opportunity to reassert dominance and shake off the late-match meltdown that cost them victory.
