West Indies inflicted a 3-0 whitewash over Afghanistan in the ODI series as they beat them by five wickets in the final game at Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Monday (November 11).

Sent into bat first, Afghanistan posted 249/7 in 50 overs on the back of Asghar Afghan’s 86 from 85 deliveries. Opener Hazratullah Zazai and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi also played a crucial knock of 50 runs each.

Keemo Paul was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, claiming 3 for 44 in his stipulated 10 overs while Alzarri Joseph chipped in with a couple of wickets by conceding 59 runs.

Chasing the target, West Indies got off to a terrible start as Evin Lewis (1) and Shimron Hetmyer (0) got out with just 4 runs on the board. However, Shai Hope steadied the ship by adding 64 runs for the third wicket with Brandon King and followed it up with a 51-run stand alongside Nicholas Pooran (21).

As the required run-rate was under check, Hope played cautiously and held the one end firmly. The wicketkeeper batsman shared a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket with skipper Kieron Pollard (32) to put West Indies on the brink of victory.

Needing 68 to win, Roston Chase arrived at the crease and the duo played percentage cricket to guide their team over the line with eight balls to spare. While Hope stayed unbeaten on 109 off 145 balls (8 fours and 3 sixes), Chase finished with 42 not out in 32 balls.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan - 249/7 in 50 overs (Asghar Afghan 86; Keemo Paul 3/44) lost to West Indies – 253/5 in 48.4 overs (Shai Hope 109*; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/49) by five wickets.