Nicholas Pooran’s valiant knock of 35 runs from just 13 balls helped the West Indies to beat South Africa by eight wickets in the rain-interrupted third T20 on Tuesday, completing a 3-0 series sweep. Rain caused an hour-long delay to start the match, and more disruptions in South Africa’s innings in the fifth over made the game 13 overs per side.

South Africa was ahead 23/0 at the rain break. Despite a slow start, Tristan Stubbs’ explosive knock of 15-ball 40 was instrumental in helping the visitors reach 108/4. 38 runs were scored through boundaries during Stubbs’ innings, which featured five fours and three sixes. He scored 144 runs at a remarkable striking rate of 178 to end the series.

Pooran’s aggressive knock nearly matched Stubbs’, featuring two fours and four sixes. The West Indies scored 60/2 when Pooran was dismissed in the fourth over, and easily chased down the target with 22 balls to spare. Shai Hope played a crucial knock of unbeaten 42 from 24 balls, while Shimron Hetmyer added 31 from 17 deliveries in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 56.

After winning the series, West Indies captain Roston Chase said, Winning the series 3-0 was our goal, and I’m pleased we achieved it. I’m grateful to the team for their support and their heartfelt performance today.

The West Indies chose to bowl after winning the toss. Due to the humid weather, South Africa got off to a cautious start. Ryan Rickelton hit the first boundary and the first six in the fourth over. When play resumed, the Proteas suffered from the 70-minute rain delay. Shortly after, Reeza Hendricks was out, but Stubbs grabbed control, hitting two more boundaries in the last over and a series of boundaries in the eleventh over before being removed with two balls remaining.

With a strike rate of 269, Pooran’s quick 13-ball cameo laid the groundwork for the West Indies’ triumph. Hope hit four sixes in his innings while Hetmyer smacked four fours and a six as the Windies clinched a commanding win. Earlier this year, South Africa eliminated the West Indies from the T20 World Cup tournament.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram acknowledged the challenges posed by the weather, stating that it was a difficult game with the rain interruptions impacting us significantly. The changing conditions throughout the match also played a part. We have areas to improve upon to adapt better in such tough conditions.