Pakistan win series against West Indies
Pakistan have won their third one day international game to claim an early series win in Barbados
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| Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul-Haq hit 62 not out to help his team to another impressive victory [AFP] |
Pakistan have won their one-day international series in the West Indies with two matches left to play.
The visitors continued their dominance over the West Indies with a three wicket victory at Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday giving them a 3-0 unassailable lead in the series.
Three apiece
A delayed start due to rain meant that the match was reduced to 45 overs-per-side.
The West Indies were bowled out for 171 off 43.4 overs at Kensington Oval. Offspinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz took three wickets each as the West Indies batting line up crumbled.
Ajmal grabbed 3-29 and Wahab 3-38 as the hosts struggled after being sent in under overcast skies in a match reduced to 45 overs-per-side by early morning rain.
Opening batsman Devon Smith was out lbw for a duck with only opener Lendl Simmons, with 51 off 64 balls, and left-hander Darren Bravo, who contributed 47 off 77 deliveries, making any impression on the scorecard.
The pair added 86 for the second wicket but the rest of the batsmen failed to deliver with West Indies losing its last seven wickets for 40.
Mohammad Hafeez, who made the early breakthrough with the wicket of Devon Smith for the third time in the series, claimed 2-31.
Simmons struck four fours and two sixes in a fluent knock but once he chipped a low return catch to Ajmal, the innings subsided swiftly.
Bravo fell to Hafeez, and Wahab returned to dismantle the middle and lower order.
Hitting back
In Pakistan’s innings, Misbah-ul-Haq was the top scorer finishing the match 62 not out.
Pakistan were on track after Misbah and Hammad Azam (36) moved the score to 127-4, but spinner Devendra Bishoo replied with three wickets of his own to bring some excitement to the finale.
Misbah, however, would not be budged and a winning six from Riaz did the job.
The visitors reached the 171 target set by the West Indies with 29 balls to spare.
The fourth game of the series will be played on May 2nd in Barbados with the West Indies hoping to clinch a consolation victory in front of their home supporters.