Pakistan vs Netherlands - Commentary

Right then, that's all from the second ODI. West Indies have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and will be aiming to dish out a 3-0 whitewash to the hosts. On the flip side, United Arab Emirates will take the field in the third ODI hoping to avoid a whitewash. The third ODI will take place at the same venue on Friday, 09th June. The first ball will be bowled at 6.00 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Johnson Charles is the Player of the Match for his blistering knock of 63 runs from 47 balls. Says that getting a player of the match is special and it means that one has done something well for the team. Mentions that his selection is up to the selectors and he is doing his job and would be looking to score more runs. Tells that scoring quick runs comes naturally to him and it is a part of their gameplan as well. Informs that the pitch was better than the last game and there was enough for both batters and bowlers.

Shai Hope, the skipper of West Indies, says that he is happy with the start they got with the bat and adds that they did struggle in the middle overs. On Akeem Jordan, he says that he got enough swing with the new ball to dismiss the openers and hopes that he can continue and grow as a fast bowler. Mentions that their aim was to get wickets but feels it was unfortunate not to see out the game earlier. Ends by saying that there can be a few changes in the third ODI.

Vriitya Aravind, the vice-captain of United Arab Emirates, says that it is a crime to get out after a good start and hopes that he can get a big one in the last game and contribute to the team’s success. Tells that the way Ali Naseer has been batting in the series has been unbelievable and that is a good sign for him. Mentions that their spin department has bowled well and applauds Zahoor Khan for bowling well at the death. Says that ODI World Cup Qualifiers are coming up and a good performance in the last game will help them gain confidence.

Time for the presentations...

Earlier in the game, after Shai Hope called it right and opted to bat first, Brandon King and Johnson Charles got West Indies off to a flying start and stitched a 129-run opening stand. However, in the middle overs, they lost wickets at regular intervals and were soon reduced to 206-5. The lower order showed fight and it was Odean Smith's quickfire cameo that helped West Indies cross the 300-run mark. For United Arab Emirates, Zahoor Khan was the star with the ball accounting for three wickets.

In their pursuit of a daunting total, United Arab Emirates were rocked early, losing their skipper Muhammad Waseem cheaply. The other opener Aryansh Sharma got off to a start but could not carry on and he was followed back in the hut by Lovepreet Bajwa and Asif Khan. Vriitya Aravind showed good application but a false shot from him put the hosts in more trouble. Ali Naseer then got together and Basil Hameed strung an 80-run partnership with Naseer stroking his second consecutive ODI fifty. Despite all these efforts, the target proved too tall a mountain to climb for United Arab Emirates.

A dominant effort with both bat and ball helps West Indies win the second ODI by a convincing margin of 78 runs! Riding high on confidence from the bowling effort in the first ODI, the West Indies' new ball bowlers began well by bowling tight lines and lengths. It was the debutant Akeem Jordan who struck first followed by Odean Smith who accounted for the other opener. Spinners came on after the first Powerplay and were rewarded with wickets for keeping the runs in check. They were made to work hard during the middle overs by Basil Hameed and Ali Naseer but they had enough runs in the bank to seal the victory. Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 49 from his 10 overs while Kavem Hodge had two wickets to his name as well.