The West Indies finally broke a 34-year-long jinx by securing a memorable 2-1 victory in the ODI series against Pakistan. It was a much-needed victory for the hosts after being swept aside 3-0 and 5-0 in Test and T20 series respectively by Australia earlier in the summer.
Pakistan’s white-ball tour of the West Indies proved fruitful for both sides, with Pakistan taking the three-match T20I series 2-1 under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, while the hosts dominated the 50-over format.
The 2-1 series defeat was Pakistan’s first ODI series loss to West Indies since 1991, when the visitors claimed a three-match series in Pakistan 2-0. Pakistan had gone unbeaten in 11 series since then, winning their last ten. West Indies’ last ODI win over Pakistan before this series came in Nottingham during the 2019 World Cup.
Over the past 31 years, Pakistan have claimed ten ODI series against West Indies, who last triumphed on Pakistani soil in 1991-92, winning in Karachi and Faisalabad, with the Lahore match ending in a tie.
The current victory extended West Indies’ home dominance – they have now won their last four bilateral ODI series at home, following successes against Bangladesh (2022) and England (2023, 2024). Only once before have they achieved a longer run, winning nine straight at home between 1981 and 1990.
The home side recent success followed a two-day emergency summit focused on Caribbean cricket. Hope participated in part of the summit, alongside legends like Brian Lara and Clive Lloyd, to develop strategies aimed at revitalising the West Indies cricket team.
This summit was convened following a disappointing match where the West Indies team managed only 27 runs in their second innings, falling just short of the record for the lowest total in test history, while suffering defeat in the third Test against Australia.
After enduring eight consecutive losses to Australia and a 2-1 defeat in a Twenty20 series against Pakistan in Florida, the West Indies faced another setback in the ODI series opener against Pakistan, losing by five wickets. However, hope was rekindled as the West Indies levelled
the series with a five-wicket victory in the second ODI, showcasing signs of revival and dominating the third match.
This was also West Indies’ first series win against Pakistan in any format since 2011, when they took a one-off T20I at home. Between 2011 and this series, Pakistan remained unbeaten in 16 multi-match contests across formats, winning 20 of 24 and drawing four. The last multi-match series win for West Indies over Pakistan came in a home Test series in 2000.
Win or loss is part of any sport, but the manner in which Pakistan surrendered in the series was nothing short of disappointing. Despite fielding a side with far more international experience than the West Indies, the Green Shirts produced a performance that simply cannot be justified.
From the very start, Pakistan appeared flat and lacked the fighting spirit expected at this level.
In stark contrast, the West Indies dominated the ODI series in every department of the game.
Their batting was aggressive yet calculated, their bowling sharp and disciplined, and their fielding outstanding. They fought for every run, chased every ball, and seized every opportunity that came their way. Their catching, in particular, was a standout feature, putting constant pressure on the Pakistani batters.
Despite these assurances, the harsh reality over more than a decade of cricket history suggests otherwise. Each loss often highlights similar issues-ranging from tactical errors to lapses in team discipline-that sadly remain unresolved.
This pattern of behaviour indicates a deeper problem within the team’s management and preparation, which has not been adequately addressed despite numerous lessons and opportunities for improvement.
Until the leadership and players take concrete steps to learn from past mistakes, Pakistan cricket will continue to struggle to secure consistent victories on the international stage.
Pakistan’s meagre total of 92 in the third ODI against West Indies marked the tenth time they have been dismissed for under 100 in the format – four of those instances coming against the Caribbean side. Their previous sub-100 total in an ODI was 74 all out against New Zealand in
2018, while no team had been bowled out for less than 100 against West Indies since Bangladesh’s 70 in 2014.
The third ODI also produced several records. West Indies’ 202-run victory was their fourth 200- plus-run win in men’s ODIs, and only the fourth time Pakistan have lost by such a margin.
Jayden Seales produced the best bowling figures ever against Pakistan in ODIs, taking 6 for 18 and surpassing Dale Steyn’s 6 for 39 in 2013.
Adding to the statistical curiosities, Shai Hope’s unbeaten 120 outscored Pakistan’s entire total by 28 runs – the second-largest such difference for a West Indian batter in ODI history. The record remains with Richie Richardson, who scored 109 against Sri Lanka’s 55 in Sharjah in 1986, a gap of 54 runs.
After the series ODI loss, the Green Shirts team has moved down from fourth to fifth place with 3465 points after a drop of one place.
India remains at the first position with 4471 points, New Zealand is second with 4160 points, Australia is third with 3473 points. South Africa is sixth and Afghanistan is seventh.
Despite a rich history of talented players and memorable victories, the inconsistency in performance has hindered Pakistan’s ability to sustain a winning streak and compete at the highest levels. This issue is not new; it has persisted across generations, affecting individual careers and the team’s overall success.
Historically, Pakistani cricketers have been known for their flamboyance and unpredictability.
The inconsistency often stems from various factors, including psychological pressure, lack of disciplined preparation, and sometimes inadequate adaptation to different pitches and conditions.
One of the primary reasons behind this inconsistency is the fluctuating form and confidence levels of players. A cricketer might shine in one game, displaying exceptional technique and aggression, only to underperform in the very next match.
Another aspect to consider is the mental toughness required to play consistently against both top-tier and weaker teams. Sometimes, players get complacent against lesser opponents, assuming that victory is assured without maintaining the same level of focus and effort.
The cricketing culture in Pakistan has also played a role in this inconsistency. The pressure to perform and the high stakes of international cricket can cause anxiety and complacency. Some players struggle to handle these pressures, which impacts their concentration and execution on the field. As a result, they may produce dazzling performances sporadically but fail to deliver consistently over a series or tournament.
Addressing this deep-rooted issue requires a multifaceted approach. Pakistan cricket needs to invest in mental conditioning, consistent coaching, and nurturing a culture that emphasizes resilience and steady performance.
By addressing mental toughness, strategic development, and cultural factors, Pakistan can hope to transform these fluctuations into a more stable and competitive cricket team in the future.
On the bowling side, home side fast bowler, Jayden Seales taken most 10 wickets in the series, with a remarkable average of just 10 runs per wicket. For Pakistan Naseem Shah (5) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (4) were the leading wicket-takers, averaging 25.4 and 21.5 respectively.
khurrams87@yahoo.com