In an exhilarating finish to the T20I series, the West Indies emerged victorious  against South Africa, securing a commanding 8-wicket win and completing a whitewash. The match, reduced to 13 overs per side due to rain, saw some standout performances from both sides, but it was the West Indies who stole the show with their all-round brilliance.

Fabian Allen’s exceptional catch

The major highlight of the match came in the fifth over of South Africa’s innings, when Fabian Allen produced a spectacular piece of fielding. Akeal Hosein delivered a short ball to Reeza Hendricks, who attempted a pull shot. The ball, however, seemed to hold up in the air, leading to a miscue. Hendricks’ shot was lofted towards deep midwicket, where Allen sprinted in from the boundary and executed a superb diving catch. His agility and anticipation made the catch appear effortless, although it was anything but. Hendricks was dismissed for 9 runs off 20 balls, with his wicket marking a key moment in the match.

Here is the video:

Fabian takes a blinder as the #MenInMaroon break the opening partnership!🏏💥 #WIvSA #T20Fest pic.twitter.com/z7At6bJspw

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 27, 2024

Allen’s fielding prowess did not stop there. He also took a crucial catch to dismiss the dangerous Tristan Stubbs, who scored 40 runs off just 15 balls before falling to Allen’s sharp fielding.

Also READ: Clinical West Indies sweep T20I series against South Africa

South Africa’s struggles and West Indies’ run chase

South Africa, grappling with the reduced overs, managed to post a modest total of 108 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their 13 overs. Besides a noteworthy innings from Stubbs, who contributed a quick 40 runs, no other South African batter managed to make a significant impact. Romario Shepherd was the standout performer with the ball for the West Indies, claiming 2 crucial wickets and playing a key role in restricting the Proteas.

In the second innings, the West Indies chased down the revised target of 116 runs with ease, finishing at 116/2 in just 9.2 overs. Shai Hope led the charge with a brilliant 42 runs off 24 balls, including 1 four and 4 sixes, remaining unbeaten. Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer also played pivotal roles, with Pooran scoring a rapid 35 runs off 13 balls and Hetmyer contributing 31 runs from 17 balls, also not out. Their aggressive batting ensured a comfortable victory for the West Indies.

For his exceptional performance with both the bat and the ball, Shepherd was named the Man of the Match. His impactful bowling and critical wickets were instrumental in setting up the West Indies’ victory.

Hope’s stellar performances throughout the T20I leg earned him the ‘Player of the Series’ accolade. He accumulated a total of 132 runs across the three matches, showcasing his consistent and high-caliber performances.

This series sweep is also a significant achievement for the West Indies, who have demonstrated their dominance and skill in the T20 format.

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