Springer Bags Hat-trick, West Indies Stun Afghanistan to Win T20I

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first in the third T20I against West Indies, aiming for a 3-0 series sweep. They were already leading 2-0 after winning the first two matches. West Indies posted 151/7, and Afghanistan chased it down but lost by 15 runs, ending the series 2-1 in their favor. West Indies made changes to their squad, bringing in Keacy Carty and Justin Greaves for Alick Athanaze and Evin Lewis. Quentin Sampson, making his T20I debut, retained his spot. This match is crucial for fringe batters looking to impress selectors for the T20 World Cup squad. On bowling, Shamar Springer replaced Shamar Joseph, with Gudakesh Motie and Khary Pierre handling spin duties. A West Indies win had looked especially unlikely after Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had added 59 in seven overs in Afghanistan's chase of 152. Guided by Gurbaz's half-century, Afghanistan remained in control for the most part, until Springer's intervention in the 19th over. The allrounder became the third West Indies player after Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd to take a hat-trick in men's T20Is. He celebrated the feat with his signature chest roll and upstaged Rashid Khan, who had bowled a boundary-less spell of 4-0-13-2 earlier in the day. Matthew Forde and Springer then turned up the tempo, helping West Indies take 40 from the last three overs of their innings. Forde cracked Zaiur Rahman Sharifi for two sixes during his 27 off 11 balls, while Springer picked away Abdollah Ahmadzai for a brace of fours in the 19th over. Springer would make a more telling impact with the ball in the 19th over of the second innings. Shamar Springer took a hat-trick, helping West Indies win the 3rd T20I against Afghanistan and denying them a 3-0 series sweep. Afghanistan had won the toss and bowled first, restricting West Indies to 151/7. West Indies chased down the target, with Springer's hat-trick turning the match in their favor. The series ended 2-1 in Afghanistan's favor. West Indies 151 for 7 (King 47, Forde 27, Rashid 2-13, Ahmadzai 2-30) beat Afghanistan 136 for 8 (Gurbaz 71, Springer 4-20) by 15 runs