West Indies pulled off a magnificent victory in the fifth T20I of the series as they squashed England by 17 runs. On the back of Jason Holder’s match-winning spell, the hosts restricted England to 162 and managed to clinch the series, which was levelled 2-2 before the decider.
While a collective effort in the batting department put on an exhibition of huge hits, Holder’s five-wicket haul sealed the series for the West Indies. Apart from Holder, Akeal claimed four scalps and reduced the English big guns to bits.
In a series-defining performance, Holder became the first-ever male cricketer of the West Indies to record a hat-trick in T20I cricket. Picking up four crucial wickets in four consecutive deliveries of the last over, Holder completed his double hat-trick in the must-win encounter.
Holder scripts history in the series-decider against England
As England required 20 runs to win in the final over, Holder was given the task of restricting the opposition under the target. The all-rounder passed the litmus test as he removed Chris Jordan, Sam Billings, Adil Rashid and Saqib Mahmood on four consecutive deliveries to seal the series for his side.
However, the over did not begin well for the 30-year-old cricketer. Starting with a no-ball, Holder provided an easy run-scoring opportunity to the batter. But failing to capitalise, Jordan missed out on the free-hit. In the very next delivery, Jordan fell prey to Holder’s slower delivery ploy as he was caught at deep mid-wicket.
Billings, Rashid and Saqid followed Jordan as England got bundled for 162, 17 runs shy of the target. Holder finished the match with his career-best figures (27/5) in a T20I.
W W W W 🔥
Watch @Jaseholder98's double hat-trick from WI vs ENG 5th T20I 🎥
WI hold their nerve in 5th T20I to clinch 3-2 series win.Watch the full match highlights here 👉 https://t.co/OFzOacjxJF#WIvENG @windiescricket @englandcricket pic.twitter.com/Oyt4C2euIu
— FanCode (@FanCode) January 31, 2022
Holder is overall the third West Indian to have a T20I hat-trick to his name. Women cricketers Anisa Mohammed and Stafanie Taylor achieved the feat before him.