The recent series win over Pakistan is a huge boost for West Indies cricket, for both their ICC ranking and their renewed aspirations to return to World Cup contention. Shai Hope’s role as captain, with remarkable batting displays, is pivotal to this renaissance.
| Position | Team | Rating | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | INDIA | 124 | 4471 |
| 2 | NEW ZEALAND | 109 | 4160 |
| 3 | AUSTRALIA | 109 | 3473 |
| 4 | SRI LANKA | 103 | 4009 |
| 5 | PAKISTAN | 100 | 3493 |
| 6 | SOUTH AFRICA | 96 | 2775 |
| 7 | AFGHANISTAN | 91 | 2279 |
| 8 | ENGLAND | 88 | 3003 |
| 9 | WEST INDIES | 80 | 2814 |
| 10 | BANGLADESH | 77 | 2465 |
| 11 | ZIMBABWE | 55 | 1202 |
West Indies vs Pakistan 3rd ODI Highlights
- Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
- Result: West Indies beat Pakistan by 202 runs, clinching the series 2-1
- West Indies Innings: 294/6 in 50 overs
- Shai Hope: 120* (94 balls, 10 fours, 5 sixes)
- Justin Greaves: 43* (24 balls)
- Abrar Ahmed (PAK): 2/34 (9 overs)
- Pakistan Innings: 92/10 in 29.2 overs
- Salman Agha: 30
- Mohammad Nawaz: 23*
- Jayden Seales (WI): 6/18 (7.2 overs)
- Player of the Match: Shai Hope (WI)
- Player of the Series: Jayden Seales (WI)
This victory was West Indies first ODI series win against Pakistan in 34 years, marking a crucial turnaround after losing the first match of the series.
Importance of the Series for West Indies
West Indies did not qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup for the first time in history, after being eliminated by Scotland in the Super Six stage of the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. This was a landmark low for the two-time world champions, highlighting a dramatic fall from grace for Caribbean cricket. The team had finished ninth in the ODI Super League, missing out on the top eight automatic qualification spots.
Missing the 2023 World Cup was a heavy blow to the cricketing pride of the Caribbean. As a result, every series now, including this one against Pakistan, carries massive importance—both for ranking points and for the rebuilding of morale and structure within the team. The current rankings still place West Indies outside the automatic qualification spots for the next World Cup, making performances like this series win hugely significant going forward.
Shai Hope’s Brilliant Captaincy
Shai Hope continues to impress as West Indies’ ODI captain. In the 3rd ODI, Hope’s unbeaten century was the backbone of the team’s resounding victory, equaling Brian Lara’s record of the most ODI centuries as captain for West Indies (5 centuries in just 38 matches, compared to Lara’s 5 in 125 matches). Hope has already become the third-highest century-maker for West Indies in ODIs, trailing only Chris Gayle and Lara.
His leadership has provided the team stability and inspiration during a period of transition and rebuilding. Under Hope’s captaincy, the Windies are finding renewed confidence and direction, evidenced by this series win and his own consistent run-scoring and tactical nous.