Pakistan makes winning start to Windies tour

Karachi, April 5: Pakistan made a winning start to their tour of West Indies when they defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in the tri-nation one-day series match at Antigua's Recreation Park.

Chasing a target of 200, Pakistan achieved victory with 17 balls to spare. Abdur Razzaq (28 not out) hit the winning boundary. With him was Moin Khan (25 not out). Shahid Afridi who blasted two sixes and five fours in his breezy run-a-ball 69 put But Pakistan on course for a comfortable win.

Afridi, adjudged Man-of-the-Match, added 67 runs for the third wicket with Inzamam-ul-Haq (32). But both the batsmen perished in an identical fashion - holing out in the deep off Dirk Viljoen.

Pakistan found themselves in some sorts of problems when Yousuf Youhana (21) was run-out in a terrible mix-up with Moin Khan.

Antigua, April 5: Backed up by some sharp catching and ground fielding, Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 199 for nine in the third match of the tri-nation one-day series at the Recreation Ground here on Wednesday.

The target is not that challenging considering Pakistan's depth in batting, but to achieve it they will have to bat really well to maintain nearly four runs an over.

Considering the state of the wicket, which seemingly is slow and also has the tendency to keep low with uneven bounce, the Zimbabweans did well even to reach the ultimate score.

An opening stand of 59 between Grant Flower and Neil Johnson was a good enough launching pad for Zimbabwe. But none of the batsmen were able to get hold of the Pakistan bowling which rarely allowed any liberty to the batsmen.

Pakistan spinners Mushtaq Ahmad, Shahid Afridi and Arshad Khan sent down tidy and economical overs to be rewarded with wickets. Also impressive with the leather were Waqar Younis, Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Akram.

Pakistan had their first breakthrough when out-of-form Grant Flower played uppishly at short mid-wicket to be caught by Younis Khan off Razzaq when 36. Two runs later Johnson, also struggling to gain some form, was well taken at mid-wicket by Imran Nazir off spinner Arshad Khan for 20.

Stuart Carlisle and Murray Goodwin did attempt to force the pace but without success. They, however, did share a stand of 41 runs for the third wicket.

Leg-spinner Mushtaq, playing after a long absence, lured Carlisle to the deep mid-wicket region where Yousuf Youhana had no problem in making the catch. Carlisle made 30 with four fours in 38 balls.

Goodwin, attempting a massive hit, lofted the ball on the top of the wicket-keeper's head and Imran Nazir, running from covers, took yet another catch as Goodwin went for 16 in the 27th over with Zimbabwe on 109.

Derek Viljoen made three before being run out by Younis Khan.

Andy Flower, the captain, and Guy Whittall salvaged the situation a little to add 33 for the sixth wicket. Flower, like Carlisle, also went hitting the ball in the air when 18.

Heath streak dropped twice, once by Moin Khan off Razzaq when 13 and again by Younis Khan of Mohammad Akram, finally holed out to Moin edging Mohammad Akram but not before adding 37 runs with Whittall who kept the score going. Not much later, Mluleki Nkala fell to Waqar Younis and Whittall became the ninth man out as he swung and missed to Akram. He made 31 off 65 balls with only one four.