The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : West Indies' losing streak continues

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 23, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

West Indies' losing streak continues

ST. LUCIA: Pakistan secured its first series success in the Caribbean with a 40-run victory over the West Indies in the second one-day international on Saturday.

West Indies lost its eighth straight limited-overs match, and 11th of 12 since winning the Champions Trophy last September. It equalled its longest losing streak from 1999-2000, when it lost three in Sharjah and five in a row in New Zealand.

Pakistan, thanks to brilliant batting from Shoaib Malik (51) and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (51), totalled 258 for eight off 50 overs, then dismissed West Indies for 218 with 10 balls to spare.

Pakistan leads the three-match series 2-0. It's the first series triumph in the Caribbean for Pakistan, which has been visiting since 1958.

Afridi strikes

West Indies' chase was undermined by the spin of Shahid Afridi, who claimed four for 38 off 10 overs at a crucial juncture.

Runako Morton, never convincing, top-scored with 55 while Chris Gayle threatened at the top of the order with five fours and a six in 43 off 45 balls.

Gayle lifted West Indian hopes with a typically aggressive opening as the home team rebounded from the early loss of Xavier Marshall.

But Gayle was bowled by an out-swinger from Shabbir Ahmed at 67 for two, and the home side suffered setbacks further in mid-innings by the run outs of its two most experienced batsmen, Ramnaresh Sarwan and captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Sarwan (17) nudged into the leg side and was too slow to beat Younis Khan's direct hit at the bowler's end from midwicket.

Chanderpaul (3), too, fell to a misjudged call for a single. Fast bowler Rao Iftikhar followed through and hit with an underarm throw.

Some hope

Morton collected his maiden one-day half-century but could not supply the acceleration when necessary.

Afridi struck twice in one over to virtually seal the result.

Morton, who hit seven fours off 98 balls, missed a big swing and was bowled, while Dwayne Bravo was leg before for a duck. The West Indies was reeling at 163 for six off 38 overs.

Wavell Hinds offered some hope with 22 off 38 balls but once he was bowled around his back by an Afridi googly, the result was beyond doubt.

Courtney Browne swatted two sixes and two fours in the fading overs for 35.

Earlier, Inzamam, who temporarily left the field during his innings after being hit in the groin on 33, hit three fours in 51 off 56 balls.

Malik, who earned the man of the match award, occupied 91 deliveries for his 51. Younis Khan, who stood in as captain on the field for the indisposed Inzamam, supported with 48 off 53 balls.

Fast bowler Corey Collymore led the West Indies attack with three for 40 off 10 overs. — AP

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