West Indies faced UAE in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, June 9. The Men in Maroon emerged victorious in the contest with four wickets and clinched the series (3-0) to whitewash UAE at their home.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, UAE started well and were 142/3 at one stage. However, their middle order failed to make any further impact, and they were eventually bundled out for 184 in 36.1 overs. Vriitya Aravind was the top scorer for UAE, as he contributed 70 runs to the team’s total. Meanwhile, Muhammad Waseem also added crucial 42 runs for his side. Kevin Sinclair shined with the ball for West Indies and claimed four wickets.
In reply, despite losing their opener Johnson Charles cheaply, West Indies comfortably chased down the set target with four wickets to spare. Alick Athanaze was the standout performer for the visitors in their win. Athanaze hammered quickfire 65 runs off 45 deliveries comprising nine fours and three sixes. Apart from Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks added decent 39 runs off 58 balls.
It is worth mentioning that it was Athanaze’s debut match, and he reached the half-century mark in just 26 balls which went down into the record books as joint fastest ODI debut fifty. The other batter to have achieved the feat is Krunal Pandya. The Indian all-rounder also slammed a 26-ball fifty against England on his debut.
🚨WORLD RECORD🚨
Alick Athanaze has equaled the fastest half-century on ODI debut!🤯#MenInMaroon #UAEvWI pic.twitter.com/MqlgaLTSd5
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 9, 2023
Coming back to the match, Athanaze’s exploit not only helped West Indies win the match, but they went on to clinch the series as well. The Caribbean side had defeated the hosts in the first two ODIs by seven wickets and 78 runs, respectively.
While Sinclair was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his exceptional performance in the match, Brandon King won the ‘Player of the Series’ award.
