Pakistan humble WI

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

West Indies lacked the firepower to defend their moderate total and Pakistan capitalised to cruise to an uncomplicated eight-wicket win in the opening one-day international of the five-match series here yesterday.

After posting 221 for six from their 50 overs, the hosts' bowlers failed to find the penetration and discipline necessary to smother Pakistan as the tourists easily overhauled their target with over eight overs left at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq top scored with an unbeaten 73 and shared an unbroken stand of 134 for the third wicket with Asad Shafiq (61), to seal victory.

Man of the Match Mohammad Hafeez hit 54 at the top order to give Pakistan a solid start to their run chase in a 68-run stand for the first wicket with Ahmed Shehzad (22).

Stranglehold

Again, only leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo looked threatening and he finished with two for 48.

Earlier, left-handed stroke-maker Darren Bravo top scored for the Windies with a patient 67 as the hosts struggled against the frugal off-spin of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez.

The usually fluent Bravo counted a mere four and a six from 109 balls, struggling to find any acceleration during his innings.

He posted a pedantic 59 off 89 balls for the fourth wicket with Kirk Edwards (28) as West Indies failed to cope with the Pakistani spin twin.

Such was the stranglehold that Ajmal conceded just 24 runs from his 10 overs while Hafeez went for just 36 runs from a similar quota.

Captain Darren Sammy produced a late innings cameo in hammering 29 from 17 balls while Lendl Simmons got 24 at the top of the order.