WINDIES TRIUMPH
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):
JASON MOHAMMED struck the second fastestever half-century by a West Indian against Pakistan, as the embattled Caribbean side pulled off a daring record run chase to win the opening One-Day International by four wickets here yesterday.
Having never successfully chased in excess of 300 in an ODI, the inexperienced Windies side tore up the form books to overhaul a challenging target of 308 with an over to spare at the Guyana National Stadium, and take a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Mohammed was at the heart of the sensational win, producing a magical unbeaten 91 from 58 balls to steal Man-of-theMatch honours. Opener Kieran Powell struck a measured 61, Evin Lewis hit 47 while tailender Ashley Nurse smashed a cameo 15-ball 34 not out down the stretch to help see West Indies over the line.
Debutant leg-spinner Shadab Khan (2-52) and seamer Mohammed Amir (2-59) finished with two wickets apiece but were powerless to influence the outcome.
STRAIGHT DEFEATS
West Indies appeared condemned to their 10th straight defeat in a bilateral series when Pakistan piled up an imposing venue-record 308 for five off their 50 overs – also their highest-ever ODI total against their opponents.
Capitalising on a less than memorable Windies performance in the field, Mohammed Hafeez top-scored with 88 while opener Ahmed Shezad, with 67 and veteran Shoaib Malik, with 53, also chimed in with halfcenturies. Off-spinner Nurse picked up four for 62 to be the hosts’ best bowler.
West Indies’ victory chances took a hit when Chadwick Walton drove Amir to Wahab Riaz to mid-off to depart for seven with the score on 23 for one in the fifth over.
However, the left-handed Powell then anchored two successive half-century stands to ensure West Indies did not fall apart at the seams.
On 156 for two in the 33rd over, West Indies received a huge setback when they lost both Powell and Shai Hope in successive overs.
Powell tamely punched the first ball of a new spell from seamer Wahab to mid-off while Hope was drawn from his crease by Shadab and stumped.
Unbeaten on one at this stage with West Indies on 158 for four in the 34th over and facing a daunting required run rate of nearly 10 an over, Mohammed single-handedly transformed the game with an exhibition of stunning ball-striking which stunned a previously buoyant Pakistan.
The 30-year-old right-hander, in only his sixth ODI, belted 11 effortless fours and three huge sixes, in a career-best knock to follow up his two half-centuries against England last month.