Pakistan pulled off their highest Twenty20 international run-chase in a seven-wicket win over the West Indies on Thursday to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Karachi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mohammad Rizwan smacked 87 off 45 balls and captain Babar Azam made 79 as the opening pair put on 158 to help Pakistan reach a target of 208 in 18.5 overs in a match that was nearly called off because of Covid cases.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The match was eventually given the go-ahead despite five members -- including three players -- of the West Indies squad testing positive on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That took the total of positive cases in the tourists' camp to nine after three players and a staff member tested positive on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran hit a career-best 37-ball 64 with six sixes and two fours as his side finished on 207-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan won the first match by 63 runs and the second by nine runs, both in Karachi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This is their seventh 3-0 whitewash in Twenty20 international cricket, and their third against the West Indies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan, who overturned a first-ball leg-before decision against him, and Babar took the attack to the West Indies bowlers with a stand of 158 in 15 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Babar, who hit nine fours and two sixes in his 53-ball knock, holed out to long-off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Babar and Rizwan registered their sixth century stand in Twenty20 internationals -- all this year -- the most by any pair in the format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have five century stands in T20I cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan, who blasted ten fours and three sixes, fell to a miscued shot off Dominic Drakes with just 24 to win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan finished with 1,326 runs in 29 matches in the calendar year -- the most by any batsman in T20 internationals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- 'Great sign' -
\r\nAsif Ali hit two sixes and as many fours in his 21 not out to seal the victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This win is a great sign for me as a captain," said Babar. "We all know runs keep going more in T20I cricket, and the way we are scoring is the best thing for us."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan also became the first player to surpass 2,000 T20 runs in a calendar year across domestic and international matches. He scored 2,036 runs in 48 T20 games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The way Rizwan has played through 2021, the way he has improved his batting, is a great learning for youngsters," added Babar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts finished 2021 with six wins in eight T20I series, winning 20 of the 29 matches -- a T20I record in a calendar year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's previous highest run chase was 204, against South Africa at Centurion in April this year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies put on a much better batting display after dismal shows in the first two matches, but Pooran still felt his team could have posted a bigger total.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I felt that the last two overs, we definitely lost momentum. Pakistan bowled well in the back end and we were 20 runs short on this wicket," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It was very tough to prepare with the virus. Most of the guys did not sleep last night, so I am very proud of the way they have played."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pooran put on 93 for the third wicket with Darren Bravo, who scored an unbeaten 34 as the tourists added 54 in the last five overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shamarh Brooks (49) and Brandon King (43) also played brisk knocks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brooks, who smashed four sixes and two fours in his 31-ball innings, shared an opening stand of 66 with King after the tourists won the toss and opted to bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
King hit seven fours and two sixes in his explosive 21-ball knock.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once the two openers departed, Pooran and Bravo took the total to 192.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pooran finally holed out off pacer Mohammad Wasim who finished with 2-44, taking eight wickets in the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n