Johannesburg, 01 February (H.S.): Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer's explosive batting, backed by Gudakesh Motie's lethal three-wicket spell, propelled West Indies to a consolation victory against South Africa in the rain-truncated third and final T20I today, Sunday.

Lightning threat delayed the start, reducing the match to 16 overs per side; West Indies' innings paused after six overs, ultimately shortened to 10 overs each. West Indies posted 114/3 in 10 overs; DLS method revised South Africa's target to 125.West Indies InningsWest Indies lost Johnson Charles for a duck to Lungi Ngidi early.

Hope and Hetmyer then unleashed aggression: Hetmyer smashed two sixes off Ngidi's third over; Hope hammered one four, two sixes against Keshav Maharaj. Score reached 62/1 after five overs.

Rain break followed; post-resumption, eighth over saw Hope and Hetmyer plunder three sixes off Maharaj for 20 runs, but Hope fell for 48 off 25 balls same over. Rovman Powell struck two sixes before departing ninth over. Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 48 off 22 balls.

South Africa Innings

Chasing adjusted target, Quinton de Kock bludgeoned 19 off Jason Holder's first over. West Indies spinners then dominated.Akeal Hosein dismissed Aiden Markram; Gudakesh Motie dismantled de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis rapidly, derailing run chase.

Jason Smith sparked late hope with 26 off 10 balls, but Shamar Joseph's pinpoint yorker bowled him final over. Bizarre moment: Corbin Bosch's bat snapped mid-shot, costing one run.

South Africa finished 118/6, 6 runs short via DLS.

Brief Scores

West Indies: 114/3 in 10 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 48*, Shai Hope 48; Lungi Ngidi 1/19)South Africa: 118/6 in 10 overs (Quinton de Kock 28, Jason Smith 26; Gudakesh Motie 3/17)West Indies won by 6 runs (DLS method).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar