West Indies lose to Pakistan and exit the U-19 World Cup

Pakistan beat the West Indies by three wickets at the Colombo Cricket Club on the final day of the Super League. Replying to West Indies' 183 all out, Pakistan overcame the total with 6.5 overs to spare, finishing on 185 for 7. The result sends West Indies crashing out of the tournament, Pakistan and Australia from Group 1 are to join Sri lanka and India in the semifinals.

Pakistan won the toss and put the West Indies into bat. Sami Khan provided the early breakthrough for his team, pinch hitter Calitos Lopez out bowled in an otherwise eccentric 12 ball 2nd over of the innings with 4 wides and two no balls.

Pakistan were right on the button in the field and maintained their pressure throughout. A brilliant direct hit by Faisal Iqbal from cover accounted for Brenton Parchment's dismissal for 17 when the total was 42 for 2.

Hasan Raza, the Pakistan captain used all his experience and waited patiently before playing his aces. When leg spinner Danish Kaneria was unleashed in the 22nd over he got straight into the action by tricking Deonarine into giving a simple return catch.

With the orthodox left armer Zaidi and Kaneria bowling in tandem the West Indies were reduced to 88 for 5, a captain's knock was required from Ryan Hinds. Hinds and the wristy Sewnarine Chattergoon responded positively, communicating well from the start. Their body language was good, their running between the wickets exemplary. It was not a wicket to play shots on, rather one to graft your runs out of. In trying conditions with the wicket providing lively assistance to the spinners, the two batsmen put on a valuable 84 for the 6th wicket in exactly 19 overs.

Returning from the press box end left arm seamer Zahid Saeed broke the partnership by getting Chattergoon caught behind for 44 with the total on 170 in the 48th over. Saeed proceeded to run through the lower order, his scalps including Hinds (32). His second spell yielding 4 wickets for 7 runs in 3.4 overs. The West Indies were bundled out for 183 in the final over.

Speaking to Cricinfo in between the innings West Indian coach Gus Logie remained confident of his teams chances. "We have to bowl straight and take our chances and if we do that we will make it very difficult for Pakistan. They have not yet chased a total of 150 in the tournament. I fully believe we can win this game."

It was imperative that the West Indian bowlers found their rhythm and get wickets early. The Pakistanis made their intentions very clear early on when Imran Nazir cracked Lopez's first delivery to the cover boundary for four. Lopez was unfazed and clean bowled Nazir 3 balls later.

Coming in at the fall of the second wicket Hasan Raza looked every bit a Test class player. He went to a rapid 22 before being the victim of a breathtaking catch at cover by Kirk Wilkinson diving full stretch. It takes a special piece of cricket to remove such a special talent.

At 55 for 3 the West Indies were still in the game. Opener Taufeeq Umar and Faisal Iqbal had other ideas. What was to come was an example of one day batting at its best. They played the spin with the maturity and authority we have come to expect from Asian cricketers. They knew when to take risks and when not to, punishing anything wide of the mark and running superbly, always putting pressure on the West Indian fielders.

To their credit the bowlers stuck to their task. Having added 116 for the 4th wicket, Taufeeq was out for 65 but not before Pakistan had been put into a commanding position. Khan, Arafat and Farhat were removed in quick succession provided some late hope for the West Indians. It was not to be and the composed Faisal Iqbal, unbeaten on 67, carried his team to a three wicket win in the 44th over.

Pakistan finished comfortably on top of Group 1 at the end of the Super League and are sure to present a tough challenge in the final stage. With Australia thrashing New Zealand in Moratuwa, the West Indies now bow out, the tournament losing one of its most exciting teams.

It will be a huge disappointment to all in the West Indian camp. They have played a lot of tough cricket in Sri Lanka and no one in the squad has looked out of their depth. The rewards will come.