Shamar Springer's hat trick helps West Indies avoid T20 series sweep against Afghanistan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Shamar Springer took a hat trick in the 19th over to help West Indies secure a 15-run victory over Afghanistan in the third T20 international on Thursday, denying the tourists a series clean sweep.

Afghanistan had already clinched the three-match series by winning the first two encounters. They won the toss and elected to field, restricting West Indies to 151-7 in their 20 overs. Brandon King top-scored for the home side with 47, while the captain fell just short of a half-century.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz led Afghanistan's chase with 71 off 58 balls, putting his team in a strong position. However, Springer's variations in pace and length in the penultimate over dismissed Gurbaz, Rashid Khan and Shahidullah in successive deliveries. This left Ramon Simmonds to defend 19 runs in the final over, with Afghanistan finishing on 136-8.

The 28-year-old allrounder Springer finished with figures of 4-20 from his four overs, becoming the third West Indies player to claim a hat trick in T20 internationals. The others are Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. Springer hopes the performance will earn him a place in the squad for the T20 World Cup.

The series served as preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which begins on Feb. 7.