Sunday 14 July 2013

West Indies v Pakistan: Shahid Afridi star of the show in first ODI

Shahid Afridi produced a sensational all-round performance as Pakistan beat West Indies by 126 runs in the first one-day international in Guyana. The former captain, who was dropped for the ICC Champions Trophy, smashed 76 off 55 balls before taking 7-12 with the ball as the hosts were dismissed for 98 in response to Pakistan's 224-9. Pakistan had looked deep in trouble after being reduced to 47-5, but Afridi led a recovery with the bat before tearing through the Windies' lower order with the ball. Afridi's figures were the second best ODI return of all time, with only Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas' 8-19 bettering the leg-spinner's display. Few could have predicted Pakistan would run out such convincing winners when Windies paceman Jason Holder (4-13) skittled their top order, taking all of the wickets as the tourists were reduced to 23-4. After a brief rain delay, Umar Akmal then fell to Kemar Roach for 19 as Pakistan saw half their side back in the changing rooms before the fifty had been brought up. Big hitting But Afridi set about turning the tables, hitting five sixes and six fours in scoring his 35th ODI fifty while finding a useful ally in his captain Misbah-ul-Haq. The pair shared a sixth-wicket stand worth 120 before Misbah eventually fell in the 48th over after dropping anchor in an innings of 52 off 121 deliveries which included just a solitary four. It soon became clear that Pakistan's total was not only competitive but was going to be well beyond West Indies' reach. With just five overs gone the hosts found themselves 7-3, with Mohammad Irfan dismissing Johnson Charles (0) and Darren Bravo (5) and star man Chris Gayle being run out for a solitary run. Afridi then took over, sending back Lendl Simmons (10) and Windies captain Dwayne Bravo in successive deliveries and then snaring the big-hitting Kieron Pollard for 3. That left the home side on 50-6 but worse was to follow as Afridi snared top-scorer Marlon Samuels (25) and Roach (1) in his next two overs. He was then taken out of the attack for a spell, but returned in the 41st over and promptly wrapped things up by dismissing Sunil Narine (14) and Holder (0) in the space of four balls