Fabian Allen failed to score 15 runs in the final over as West Indies went down by one-run in a thrilling third T20 International in Grenada. West Indies ended on 166-7 in 20 overs, after South Africa posted 167-8 in 20 overs.

In pursuit of the total, West Indies had a solid start from openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis, as the duo added 55 runs for the opening wicket. Simmons fell for a run-a-ball 22 while Lewis made a 21-ball 27. Jason Holder was promoted to number three and scored 16 from his 11 balls.

Shimron Hetmyer, batting at four hit two sixes but he was undone by the world number one bowler, Tabriz Shamsi. The left-handed Guyanese chased a wide delivery turning away and found backward point, gifting his wicket away for 17 from 10 balls.

West Indies then lost Kieron Pollard (01) with the score on 104-5 in 12.3 overs. Nicholas Pooran then occupied the crease with Andre Russell who powered the ball over the boundary. The duo added 36 runs but Russell held out to the boundary and was caught for 25, after facing 16 balls and striking three sixes.

After Russell departed at 140-6 in 17 overs, West Indies remained in pole position requiring 28 from 18 balls with Fabian Allen partnering Pooran. The West Indies vice-captain Pooran looked rusty throughout his innings, despite hitting one six and one four in his 28-ball 27.

The West Indies required 15 runs in the final over bowled by Rabada, with Allen on strike. He failed to replicate his exploits in the second T20I as West Indies ended on 166-7, after Allen slammed the final ball for six. Shamsi bagged 2-13 in four overs while Anrich Nortje had 2-29.

For the third match, Kieron Pollard won the toss and opted to field first. West Indies made two changes, with Hetmyer and Simmons playing while Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher sitting out. The South Africans lost Reza Hendricks (17) and Temba Bavuma (01) in the power play with the score on 51-2.

It was the impressive Obed McCoy who made early inroads but Quniton de Kock held the ship together in his top-score of 72 from 52 balls which included five fours and two six. Aiden Markram scored 23 while Rassie van der Dussen (32) and de Kock added 60 runs together.

South Africa once again had a solid platform, reaching the 100-run mark in 11.2 overs. Dwayne Bravo and McCoy halted the scoring rate with late wickets, as South Africa were restricted to 167-8 in 20 overs. McCoy had his career best 4-22 in four overs while the champion Bravo had 3-25.

South Africa leads the five-match series 2-1, with two matches to play. The fourth T20I will be played on Thursday July 1 from 14:00h local time in Grenada.