Pakistan defeated West Indies by three wickets in low-scoring match at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Thursday to clinch the series 3-0 as Misbah-ul-Haq once again showed the way, instead of skipper Shahid Afridi.
The match was shortened to 45 overes after heavy rain delayed the start of the match and Pakistani skipper never hesitated inviting his opposite number to bat first after winning the toss.
Shahid Khan Afridi was once again below par with his captaincy and then his batting skills as he lost his cool when Pakistan required him to stay at the wicket with no batsman left after him to take the responsibility, but the Pakistan skipper, who is renowned for playing for spectators rather than the country, lofted a delivery by Bishoo to get caught well within the circle. Pakistan were still needing 29 runs when skipper lost his nerves.
However, Wahab Riaz, a lower-order tail-ender, showed his captain the way to bat in crunch situations as he kept his cool along with Misbah-ul-Haq and steered Pakistan to a memorable victory in Barbados.
Star of the show was once again Misbah-ul-Haq (62 not out from 109 – 4 fours, 1 six) as he was the only one batsman who stood tall and braved the West Indian bowling attack that found some rhythm on a double-paced and double-bounce pitch of Barbados.
Batting first, West Indies were bundled out for only 171 runs from 43.4 overs thanks to unplayable bowling by Saeed Ajmal (8.4-0-29-3) and furious fast bowling by Wahab Riaz (8-1-38-3) while Mohammad Hafeez (9-0-31-2) once again proved methodical with new ball. Hammad Azam was only tried for two overs and never allowed to show his real talent with the ball.
For West Indies, Lendl Simmons (51 from 64 – 4 fours, 2 sixes) once again gave them a solid start and despite of losing Devon Smith (Duck) he held the innings together in company of Darren Bravo (47 from 77 – 3 fours, 1 six) as West Indies scored 92 runs for the loss of one wicket from 20.4 overs. Devon Smith has been having a poor run against Mohammad Hafeez as the off-spinner has been taking his wicket since the quarter-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
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