West Indies signed off their T20I series against South Africa with a consolation victory after rain turned the final match into a dramatic shootout at the Wanderers on Saturday.

Despite South Africa clinching the series 2–1, the visitors edged the rain-hit contest by six runs via the DLS method in a thrilling finish.

Persistent rain delayed the start by nearly two hours and initially reduced the match to 16 overs per side. A further hour-long interruption after six overs with West Indies placed at 66 for 1, cutting the contest down to a 10-overs-a-side affair.

West Indies recovered quickly to post 114 for 3, powered by captain Shai Hope’s 48 off 25 balls and an equally destructive 48 not out from Shimron Hetmyer off 22 deliveries. The pair smashed 10 sixes between them, including one towering blow from Hetmyer that struck a spectator on the head while he was lying down. The fan quickly rose to his feet and applauded, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Revised by DLS, South Africa were set a target of 125 but fell short, finishing on 118 for 6.

Quinton de Kock provided an explosive start, smashing 18 runs off the opening over, but captain Aiden Markram was dismissed in the second, caught off a top-edged pull shot. De Kock soon followed for 28 off 14, while Ryan Rickelton (15) and Dewald Brevis (17) departed in quick succession, with spinner Gudakesh Motie striking three times in the space of eight balls.

Jason Smith kept South Africa in the hunt with a spirited cameo, hammering 20 runs in the eighth over. The hosts entered the final over needing 16 to win, but the equation tightened to nine when Smith was bowled by a pinpoint Shamar Joseph yorker with two balls remaining.

Earlier in the day, South Africa received a timely boost when David Miller was medically cleared to play in his sixth T20 World Cup, starting next weekend. The veteran batsman had missed the West Indies series due to a groin injury.

At the T20 World Cup in India, West Indies will begin their campaign against Scotland in Kolkata next Saturday, while South Africa open two days later against Canada in Ahmedabad.