BASSETERRE – Veteran Marlon Samuels dominated with a classy career-best half-century as West Indies brushed aside minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets in the final Twenty20 International to sweep the three-match series here Monday night.
Chasing an uncomplicated 147 for victory at Warner Park, the hosts reached their target with four balls to spare, with the right-handed Samuels finishing unbeaten on a superb 89 from 66 deliveries to earn Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series honours.
Jason Mohammed ended on 23 not out, adding 65 with Samuels in unbroken fourth wicket stand which required 39 balls.
Outstanding rookie seamer Kesrick Williams had earlier grabbed three for 34 to help restrict Afghanistan to 146 for six off their 20 overs, after the Asian side threatened a large total following a frenetic start.
Mohammad Nabi blasted 38 off 30 deliveries while opener Noor Ali’s exciting cameo 35 required all of 19 balls.
Wicketkeeper Shafiqullah chimed in with an entertaining 25 off 15 balls.
Williams finished the series with eight wickets following a similar three-wicket haul in Saturday’s second T20 and two wickets in the opener last Friday.
They face Afghanistan again on Friday in St Lucia in the first One-Day International of a three-match series.
Summarised scores:
Afghanistan 146 for six in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 38, Noor Ali 35, Shafiqullah 25; Kesrick Williams 3-34). West Indies 147 for three in 19.2 overs (Marlon Samuels 89 not out, Jason Mohammed 23 not out). West Indies won by seven wickets. (CMC)
