Junaid Khan’s three-wicket haul helped Pakistan restrict West Indies to 242 for seven in 50 overs in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) match of the series at Gros Islet on Wednesday.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to field first. In an unusual move West Indies chose to open with Johnson Charles and Devon Smith. However, the move didn’t work as Junaid dismissed Smith for just seven. The hosts adopted a cautious approach in the initial overs and played without taking too many risks.
However, Pakistani bowlers struck at regular intervals and ensured that the hosts didn’t form a strong partnership.
Gayle came out to bat at number five in the order. He seemed to have developed a stable partnership with Marlon Samuels till the time he mishit a pull to a short-pitched delivery by Junaid, which was brilliantly taken by Umar Akmal.
Skipper Dwayne Bravo raised the tempo of a rather stuttering and slow West Indian innings by smashing five fours and three sixes towards the final overs to guide them to a competitive total.
Apart from Junaid, the tall Mohammad Irfan also troubled the West Indian batsman and ended with figures of two for 34 in his 10 overs.
West Indies bowlers have plenty of runs to play with as Pakistan’s batting has not been in top form. It is a tricky total as West Indies look to draw the series with a win in the final encounter.
SCOREBOARD
West Indies innings
J Charles c Haris b Irfan 43
DS Smith c Hafeez b Junaid 7
DM Bravo c Umar b Junaid 9
MN Samuels c Afridi b Irfan 45
CH Gayle c Umar b Junaid 21
LMP Simmons c Hafeez b Ajmal 25
DJ Bravo c Haris b Ajmal 48
DJG Sammy not out 29
SP Narine not out 0
Extras (lb 6, w 9) 15
Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 242
To bat JO Holder, TL Best
Fall of wickets 1-26 (Smith, 6.4 ov), 2-44 (DM Bravo, 12.4 ov), 3-98 (Charles, 25.3 ov), 4-131 (Gayle, 35.2 ov), 5-159 (Samuels, 41.2 ov), 6-170 (Simmons, 44.1 ov), 7-223 (DJ Bravo, 48.4 ov)
Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 6-2-22-0, Mohammad Irfan 10-1-34-2, Junaid Khan 10-1-48-3, Asad Ali 9-1-45-0, Shahid Afridi 5-0-30-0, Saeed Ajmal 10-2-57-2
Toss Pakistan, who chose to field
Player of the match tba
Umpires PR Reiffel (Australia) and JS Wilson
TV umpire SJ Davis (Australia)
Match referee DC Boon (Australia)
Reserve umpire PJ Nero