Roston Chase Makes Unwanted T20I History with Retire Out

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase created cricket history during the third T20I against Pakistan in Lauderhill, becoming the first batter from a Full Member team to retire out in men's T20 International cricket. The tactical move came with 41 runs needed from 18 balls, but couldn't prevent Pakistan from clinching the series 2-1 with a 13-run victory.

The Match Situation

West Indies were chasing a competitive target of 190 runs set by Pakistan. Despite a brilliant start from opener Alick Athanaze, who scored 60 off 40 balls, the hosts found themselves in trouble at 110/3 after 13 overs.

Chase came to the crease when the required run rate was already climbing. While Sherfane Rutherford at the other end was finding boundaries regularly, Chase struggled to rotate the strike and find the big shots needed in the death overs.

Why the Retire Out Happened

The decision to retire Chase came from the team management's assessment that he wasn't able to accelerate the scoring rate. With only three overs remaining and needing more than 13 runs per over, every ball was crucial.

Chase managed just two boundaries in his 12-ball stay, failing to hit a single six during his brief innings. His strike rate of 125 was well below what was needed in the circumstances, prompting the coaching staff to make the bold call.

Impact on the Game

The retire out brought Jason Holder to the crease, but the veteran all-rounder was immediately dismissed for a duck by Sufiyan Muqeem. West Indies eventually finished on 176/8, falling 13 runs short despite a late cameo from Gudakesh Motie.

Historical Context for Retire Out

Chase's retire out makes him part of a very exclusive list in T20I cricket:

The only previous instance involving a Full Member team was Nikolaas Davin's retire out during Namibia's chase against England in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he scored 18 from 16 balls.

Chase's Previous Retire Out Experience

This wasn't Chase's first encounter with the retire out dismissal. Earlier in 2025, he was retired out in the ILT20 while playing for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders against MI Emirates. In that match, he scored 20 from 13 balls before being called back to the dugout in the 18th over.

The similarity between both instances was Chase's inability to accelerate when the team needed quick runs, showing a pattern in his approach to death-over batting.

Tactical Innovation or Desperation?

The Case For

• Team-first approach: Recognizing his struggle and giving a better-suited batter a chance

• Maximizing resources: Using all available options when conventional batting wasn't working

• Strategic thinking: Shows modern cricket's willingness to try unconventional methods

The Case Against

• Psychological impact: Could affect team morale and individual confidence

• Risk vs reward: Incoming batter faces immediate pressure without settling in

• Momentum disruption: Changes the rhythm of the chase

Series Impact

Pakistan's victory in this match sealed the T20I series 2-1, giving them valuable momentum before the upcoming ODI series. For West Indies, the loss highlighted their struggles in death-over batting and finishing close games.

What This Means for Modern Cricket

Chase's retire out reflects cricket's evolving tactical landscape. Teams are increasingly willing to make bold decisions during matches, treating every resource—including the right to bat—as strategic assets to be optimized.

The retire out rule exists precisely for situations like this, where a batter recognizes they're not suited to the current match situation. While rare, it's a legitimate tactical option that more teams might consider in the future.

Looking Ahead

For Chase, this moment will likely be remembered more for the historical significance than the tactical outcome. As West Indies Test captain, he showed leadership by putting team needs above personal statistics, even if the decision didn't change the match result.

The incident also highlights the importance of power-hitting skills in modern T20 cricket. Players who can't accelerate in death overs risk becoming tactical liabilities, regardless of their overall batting ability.

With the ODI series starting soon, both Chase and West Indies will look to put this unusual chapter behind them and focus on the longer format where his traditional batting skills might be better suited to the team's needs.

The retire out remains a rare but legitimate part of cricket's tactical arsenal—Chase just happened to make history by being the first from a Full Member team brave enough to use it in T20I cricket.