Tarouba: The third and final ODI between Pakistan and the West Indies will take place on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. With the series perfectly balanced at 1-1, cricket fans can expect a thrilling conclusion. Pakistan took the upper hand in the opener, but the West Indies bounced back strongly in the second match, claiming victory via the DLS method. This sets the stage for a high-stakes battle where both sides have plenty to play for.

Match timings & where to watch

The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time, with the toss slated for 6:30 PM IST. Live streaming will be available through the FanCode app and website, ensuring fans can still follow every moment online.

Pitch report

The Brian Lara Stadium is known for offering a balanced playing surface that caters to both batters and bowlers. Pacers are likely to find early swing and seam movement, while spinners could have an important role in the middle overs. The trend at this venue suggests that chasing teams often have the advantage, with recent average first-innings scores ranging from 219 to 267 runs. If the weather remains favourable, batting conditions should be decent.

Weather forecast

Weather could play a considerable role in this decider, as there is a 30 to 75 per cent chance of rain throughout the match. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius, with high humidity between 56 and 80 per cent. As seen in the second ODI, any rain interruptions could bring the DLS method into play once again.

What’s at stake

For the West Indies, this is an opportunity to seal a rare home series victory over Pakistan, something that would serve as a major morale boost during their ongoing rebuilding phase. On the other hand, Pakistan will be looking to finish the tour on a high under the temporary leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, especially with important international fixtures on the horizon.

Probable playing XIs

Pakistan are expected to field a side comprising Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed.

The West Indies contingent may include Shai Hope (captain and wicketkeeper), Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Jediah Blades, Jewel Andrew, and Evin Lewis.

Key players to watch

In the Pakistan lineup, much will depend on the batting form of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, while the bowling duo of Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali could play pivotal roles. For the West Indies, captain Shai Hope will be central to their batting strength, with Brandon King in support, and the likes of Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie providing key contributions with the ball in hand.