Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that the team is still wrestling with the fifth bowler conundrum as they head into Tuesday’s series decider against the West Indies. The uncertainty follows Pakistan’s defeat in the second one-day international on Sunday, which levelled the three-match series at 1-1.

After clinching the opening ODI by five wickets, Pakistan managed a respectable 171 for 7 in 37 overs in a rain-affected encounter. However, the West Indies chased down the target with five wickets to spare. The home side’s part-time bowling pair, Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, came under the spotlight after conceding a combined 66 runs in seven wicketless overs — a decisive factor in the loss.

“You could say our fifth bowler leaked too many runs, but over the past few years, both Salman and Saim have bowled well for us,” Rizwan told reporters after the game. “Saim didn’t have the best outing today, but he did a great job in the T20Is. That’s cricket — some days it works, some days it doesn’t.”

Rizwan also pointed to the unpredictable conditions, with multiple rain interruptions disrupting momentum. “Honestly, the weather has been nothing like what we were expecting. It’s been difficult to read, and the repeated stoppages made things even trickier,” he said.

Looking ahead to the decider, the skipper confirmed that the team’s final XI will be determined after another close look at the pitch and conditions. “We’re keeping all options open and will make the call closer to the match,” he added.

Pakistan had earlier edged the T20 series 2-1, setting the stage for a high-stakes finale in the ODI leg.