West Indies beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in World Cup tie
LONDON (92 News) – West Indies beat Pakistan by seven wickets in a match of the World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Friday.
Opener Chris Gayle scored a decent half-century to lead West Indies to a comfortable 105 runs chase against Pakistan in the World Cup opener at the Trent bridge on Friday.
The Sarfraz men played only 21.4 overs of their batting innings as Jason Holder picked three wickets, Andre Russel took two and Sheldon Cottrell bagged one wicket. Mohammad Hafeez with 16 and Wahab Riaz (18) were the only other batsmen who reached double figures.
Pakistan set 106-run target for West Indies. West Indian fast bowler Oshane Thomas’s phenomenal 4-27 spell scripted a shambolic collapse of Pakistan batting line up as he played a vital role in sending the Champions Trophy winner packing on 105.
The Sarfraz men played only 21.4 overs of the innings as Jason Holder picked three wickets, Andre Russel took two and Sheldon Cottrell bagged one wicket. Mohammad Hafeez with 16 and Wahab Riaz (18) were the only other batsmen who reached double figures.
All-rounder Andre Russell exposed Pakistan’s fragile batting with two wickets in the space of 12 balls to give West Indies an early advantage.
The 31-year-old right arm paceman bowled opener Fakhar Zaman for 22 in his first over and then had Haris Sohail caught behind off a sharp rising delivery for eight.
Pakistan were struggling at 45 for three after the 10-over power-play. The in-form batsman Babar Azam (22) was the next man to be dismissed as he was caught behind on the ball of Oshane Thomas. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Imad Wasim were dismissed by Jason Holder in an over.
Wahab Riaz and Muhammad Aamir offered little resistance in the last wicket partnership, however, the partnership was broken on 22 runs - interestingly it was the highest partnership of Pakistan in the match.
Imam-ul-Haq was the first batsman to be dismissed, caught behind the wicket by Shai Hope for two off the bowling of left-armer Sheldon Cottrell.
Russell then struck twice before Babar Azam (22) was caught by Hope off paceman Oshane Thomas to leave Pakistan struggling at 62-4 in the 14th overs.
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s second-lowest score in the World Cup
This is Pakistan’s second-lowest score in the World Cup. The team’s lowest score is 74 all out against England in 1992. Interestingly, this is also Pakistan lowest against the West Indies in all world cup matches - Previous was 160 in 2015.
Aamir is making his World Cup debut for Pakistan
Fast bowler Mohammad Aamir is making his World Cup debut for Pakistan. He missed the 2011 and 2015 World Cups due to a five-year spot-fixing ban.
Sarfaraz Ahmed said: “We wanted to bowl first because of the overcast conditions and a bit of moisture. But it doesn't matter, it will be a good batting pitch. Our batting line-up is in form, it's good that before the World Cup our top batsmen are in form. Amir and Wahab are very experienced bowlers. Asif Ali is not playing.”
Jason Holder was of the view:”We're going to field first, I don't think the conditions will change first as the day goes on. Hopefully we get some early movement and wickets. Evin Lewis and Shannon Gabriel aren't fit, and we've left out Fabian Allen and Kemar Roach.”
The two most unpredictable sides in the competition come face to face at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge. West Indies and Pakistan can be indifferent or spectacular. But on their day, there is no doubt that they can challenge, and beat, the world’s top sides.
