TAROUBA, Trinidad — With the weight of both the current series and the 2027 Cricket World Cup qualification race on their shoulders, the West Indies have made their intentions clear: every One Day International (ODI) from this point forward is non-negotiable.
All-rounder Roston Chase embodied that resolve on Sunday, crafting an unbeaten 49 that steered the hosts to a pivotal five-wicket triumph over Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium. The result leveled the three-match series at 1-1 and propelled the West Indies from 10th to ninth in the ICC ODI rankings — the final automatic qualification berth for the global tournament.
“The win was very important,” Chase reflected after the match. “It is basically a final from here because we have to keep the series alive, so we had to win today so that we can win the next match and the series as well. Any ODI series that we have from here now is very important, because we need to qualify for the World Cup outright so that we don’t have to go into any qualifiers. Every ODI from here we’re looking for full points.”
Chase’s steady hand in a stuttering chase
Coming off a composed half-century in Friday’s opener, Chase once again proved to be the anchor his side needed. Partnering with Justin Greaves, who contributed an unbeaten 26, the pair stitched together an unbroken 77-run stand off 72 deliveries to seal the win.
When Chase walked to the crease in the 20th over, the West Indies were precariously placed at 102 for four in pursuit of a modest total. “We wanted to get a good start, not to put ourselves under pressure with the small total, but it didn’t happen for us,” he said. “It was for us to go on, consolidate, and try to build a partnership. We were still going a bit slow, but we kept the rate close, and I thought that was what helped in the end.”
A chance to end a 33-year drought
The final ODI, set for Tuesday, carries added significance: the West Indies have not secured a bilateral ODI series victory over Pakistan in more than three decades.
“I wouldn’t say it’s pressure,” Chase noted with quiet determination. “I’d say it’s an opportunity for us to show our mettle, show our class, and just go out there and perform, giving the crowd something to cheer about. So far it’s not been a capacity crowd, but I love the energy they’ve been giving us and the support they’ve shown. It would really make us and the fans happy as well.”
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