West Indies vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Hello and welcome to the live blog of the third and final ODI between Windies and Afghanistan. Big day for both teams.

"We would like to give you reasons to smile. We are sorry we couldn't do it in the T20I series. Keep us in your prayers."

This was Rashid Khan speaking after picking up the Player of the Match award after the first One-Day International against Windies, where he picked up his career-best 7 for 18 to take his side to a sensational 63-run win. Afghanistan had lost preceding Twenty20 International series 0-3 but the emotional speech was triggered after the Kabul attack that saw the death toll rise past 150. It isn't hard to see the players troubled by events back home. Asghar Stanikzai went on to offer his condolences in his native language for a good minute and half after the win.

It's well documented that even in troubled times the Afghanistan teams is followed widely and the fans rejoice every single win as if it's their first. Cricket acts as a balm and Afghanistan now have a chance to somewhat soothe the pain inflicted at the people back home. On their maiden tour to Windies, they have a golden opportunity to seal a memorable ODI series win.

Afghanistan stretched Windies in the second ODI as well, that too in a small chase of 135, before losing the match by four wickets. It was Shai Hope's calm and unbeaten 48 that took the team over the line but the think-tank will be well aware of the fact that their batsmen are struggling to pick Rashid. And the little turnaround time doesn't give them a chance to find a fix.

All they can hope now is somehow the batsmen are able to play out Rashid's overs and cash in and attack the other bowlers. Afghanistan too need their batsmen to step up. After struggling in most parts of the first innings of the first ODI, it was Gulbadin Naib's innings that gave them a fighting total. Javed Ahmadi's fighting knock meant Naib was able to cash in in the death overs. However, in the second ODI, the top order failed to find answers to a barrage of short deliveries and were dismissed fending them. Needless to say, the series could well swing in favour of the side whose batsmen do well in the final match of the series.

Windies have lacked intensity on the field, something Jason Holder went on to acknowledge, and allowed Afghanistan to resist after being 81 for 7. It shouldn't be hard to motivate players considering they are losing crucial ranking points and risk not earning a direct qualification for 2019 World Cup.

They are ranked ninth with 77 points and their chances have been dented by Pakistan's superb run in the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan have 91 points and Windies need to keep winning to improve their chances, but if they do lose the series, they'll lose more points than they are likely to gain by a series win.

More is at stake for the home side. Afghanistan have little to lose, but a golden dawn awaits them if they can cap off the tour with a special win.

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