Tourists put up good fight but fall away in chase of mammoth 338.

By Abdullah Ansari (2nd October, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat.

Teams:

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasiml, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali.

West Indies: J Charles, KC Brathwaite, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, D Ramdin (wk), KA Pollard, JO Holder (c), CR Brathwaite, SP Narine, SJ Benn, AS Joseph.

Pakistan Innings

Pakistan's innings began in a somewhat cautious manner but it didn't take Sharjeel Khan long to start hitting some big shots. One of them was a stunning off-drive for six. Azhar Ali was soon dismissed however as Holder trapped him LBW with the captain's lean series continuing. It was made worse as he took the review but to no avail. Babar and Malik got together and were initially circumspect but ensured that the run-rate didn't drop too much by rotating the strike well. It was when Benn was introduced into the attack that the scoring rate increased somewhat as Malik in particular took a liking to him. Both batsmen got their fifties by the halfway mark of the innings.

Soon after reaching his fifty, Shoaib Malik took Benn downtown for three big sixes in an over including one which went out of the ground, setting the tone for the second half of the innings. Babar was solid at the other end, rotating strike well and getting the odd boundary to maintain a decent strike rate. Malik eventually fell to Narine as he offered a simple catch to backward point, having made a 84-ball 90. Sarfraz came in and initially struggled to get going but Babar continued from the other end, batting positively. He got to a 111-ball hundred and played some serene shots before eventually falling for 123. Sarfraz finally got going as he hit Pollard for four 4s in an over. Pakistan got the odd boundary and Sarfraz finished with another two in the last over as he ended with 60* off 47 balls, Pakistan making a strong 337/5.

Fall Of Wickets

1-40 (Azhar Ali, 4.5 ov)
2-40 (Sharjeel Khan, 5.1 ov)
3-209 (Shoaib Malik, 33.4 ov)
4-282 (Babar Azam, 45.1 ov)
5-320 (Imad Wasim, 48.3 ov)

West Indies

West Indies began the chase knowing they needed to set a team record, having never chased more than 300 in the past. They were off to a weak start as Charles again fell to Amir going for a big drive, getting caught at cover. Darren Bravo gave the tourists with some beautiful shots, however, ensuring that they stayed in the game. Brathwaite was once again circumspect at the other end and doubt remains over whether he is suited to playing in the shorter formats. Bravo however showed his intentions with a massive 103m six which went out of the ground, and Azhar Ali grassed a simple chance on the next ball as Pakistan looked a little sloppy. However, Brathwaite was soon run-out for 39 off 66 balls. Bravo continued, hitting an even bigger 110m six in the next over, keeping West Indies in the game.

Bravo hit one more six before a stunning bit of fielding by Hasan Ali had him run out for 61. Samuels got going after a slowish start, helped by the catching (or rather the lack of it). First Shafiq put one down and then Rizwan and Sarfraz also were guilty of errors though the last one was a tough chance. Samuels looked dangerous but Wahab, who had been bowling at extreme pace throughout, had his number once again, getting him bowled for the second time in a row. Ramdin met the same fate, being beaten for pace as he was bowled. West Indies' spirited fight wilted after that as Brathwaite became the third batsman to be run out. The others, Pollard in particular, failed to get regular boundaries. There was still time for another dropped catch before Shoaib Malik held on to one to dismiss Pollard. The innings finished with a whimper as Pakistan sealed a 59-run win.

Fall Of Wickets

1-3 (Charles, 1.4 ov)
2-92 (KC Brathwaite, 21.2 ov)
3-127 (Bravo, 28.3 ov)
4-194 (Samuels, 37.2 ov)
5-209 (Ramdin, 39.2 ov)
6-231 (CR Brathwaite, 42.1 ov)
7-273 (Pollard, 48.3 ov)

Match Summary:

The win will look good on paper but Mickey Arthur will no doubt be concerned in the manner Pakistan let West Indies back into the game via several dropped catches. Having said that, Babar Azam once again played a terrific innings, with excellent support being offered by Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed. The bowling was great and the ground fielding was good as well as Pakistan effected three run-outs. They will be pleased to have sealed a series win and will be looking for that 3-0 whitewash in the last game to go above the opponents in the rankings to take that crucial #8 spot.

Next Game:

3rd ODI at Abu Dhabi, 5th October, 11:00 GMT.

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