DUBAI: The West Indies ended their three-match T20I series on a high note, with all-rounder Shamar Springer’s hat-trick helping the West Indies seal a consolation win to secure a 15-run victory over Afghanistan in the third and final T20I in Dubai.However, Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
The West Indies batted first, struggling in the first few overs as the team lost wickets to reach 103/5 in 15.5 overs. Captain Brandon King led the batting innings with a combination of aggressive and responsible batting as he hit 47 off 35, while Matthew Forde, who hit 27 off just 11, and Springer, who hit 16 off just 9, took the team to a respectable total of 151/7 in 20 overs.During Afghanistan’s run chase, opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (71) and Ibrahim Zadran (28) started strongly, forming an opening partnership of 72 runs.However, Afghanistan’s chase fell apart in the 19th minute when Springer scored a brilliant hat-trick, dismissing Gurbaz, Rashid Khan (0) and Shahidullah (0). He finished with 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Khary Pierre, Matthew Forde and Ramon Simmonds also took one wicket each.Springer’s feat made him the third West Indies bowler to take a T20I hat-trick, joining Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. Shamar won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his excellent bowling and useful batting.