Pakistan gain upper hand

The West Indies cricket team lost for the first time in six matches this past Wednesday when they were defeated in the first of three Cable and Wireless one-day finals against Pakistan at Kensington Oval in Barbados. West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams lost the toss and was asked to bowl for the first time in the one-day series. Pakistan scored steadily but lost two early wickets in Shahid Afridi (17) and Imran Nazir (12), but as Younis Khan (23) was joined by Inzamam-ul-Haq (66) Pakistan made a recovery with a 49 run partnership. It was obvious that the game was going to be dominated by slow scoring as both batsmen, who are typically attacking, struggled to put together the first substantial partnership of the innings from 18 overs. After Khan was brilliantly run out by Jimmy Adams and Ridley Jacobs, however, the wheels of the Pakistani innings began to come off.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and at one point Pakistan were 144 for 8 with just 8 overs remaining. However, experience once again displayed its worth as Wasim Akram (42 not out from 36 balls) played with authority as he and Mushtaq Ahmed (11 not out) lifted Pakistan's total to 197 for 8 from 50 overs. The West Indies' bowlers bowled with continued accuracy and consistency as Reon King claimed 2 for 37 and was ably assisted by Ambrose, McLean, Adams and Gayle who all picked up 1 wicket apiece.

In reply, the West Indies never truly got going. They made a valiant effort to pace themselves for the chase but continued to fall too far behind the required run rate. After Campbell fell for just 11, Philo Wallace (47) and Wavell Hinds (35) plodded along as they built a partnership of 87 from 24.3 overs. Like the Pakistani innings, wickets then began to fall at regular intervals as the lower order batsmen realised that they were under immense pressure to score runs quickly. Only Sylvester `Bouncin' Joseph, in his debut was capable of guiding the West Indies toward the Pakistani total as he crashed 28 from 32 balls with 1 four and a six. His teammates crumbled around him as the West Indies innings closed at 180 all out. All-rounder, Shahid Afridi was the pick of the bowlers as he cleaned up the lower order with 3 for 16 and pacer Waqar Younis claimed 2 for 34.

It was a disappointing start to the West Indies' 3 match finals as much was expected of them as they crushed Zimbabwe in the two test series and won 4 one days in a row. However, the spirit within the dressing room is still very high and after the match, West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams expressed that he is still a believer that the West Indies will win the inaugural three-way one-day series in the Caribbean.