WATCH-Shamar Springer becomes third WI bowler to take T20I hat-trick:West Indies defeat Afghanistan for consolation win in 1-2 series loss

Shamar Springer took a hat-trick as West Indies defeated Afghanistan by 15 runs in the third and final T20I of the three-match series in Dubai on 22 January. With this victory, West Indies registered a consolation win and thus avoided a 0-3 series whitewash. Afghanistan won the series 2-1. West Indies would now face South Africa in a three-match T20I series against South Africa starting 29 January. Afghanistan on the other hand, will be in action next in their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign that starts against New Zealand on 8 February. Not just with the ball but Springer also made an impact with the bat. He took 4 wickets for just 20 runs in his 4 overs, while also scoring an unbeaten 16 runs off nine deliveries to strengthen the team’s score. Shamar Springer scalps hat-trick in 19th over Chasing a target of 152 runs, Afghanistan needed 25 runs in the last two overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was batting on 71 runs at the crease, while Gulbadin Naib was supporting him. In the 19th over, Springer dismissed Gurbaz on the first ball. He then had Rashid Khan caught and completed a hat-trick by bowling Shahidiullah on the very next ball. Apart from taking three wickets, he gave away just five runs. In the last over, Afghanistan needed 20 runs to win, but Raman Simmonds conceded only four and also ran out Gulbadin Naib, securing West Indies’ victory. Also read: WATCH| Mujeeb becomes third Afghan bowler to take T20I hat-trick: Afghanistan defeat West Indies in 2nd T20I, win series 2-0 Afghanistan had strong start through Rahmanullah Gurbaz-Ibrahim Zadran Earlier, chasing a 152-run target, Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a 72-run partnership for the first wicket. The team had added 59 runs in the initial 7 overs, but Afghanistan came under pressure due to falling wickets in the middle overs. Gurbaz hit 71 runs off 58 deliveries, including eight fours and one six. West Indies post 151/7 after being asked to bat first Batting first, West Indies had a poor start, scoring only 27 runs in 4 overs. Johnson Charles was out after scoring 17 runs. Stand-in captain Brandon King played an important innings of 47 runs, but he was dismissed by Rashid Khan. In the last three overs, West Indies added 40 runs to reach a total of 151. Matthew Forde scored 27 runs off 11 balls, while Springer remained unbeaten on 16 runs off nine balls.