Pakistan wrap up series

Pakistan have wrapped up their one-day series against the West Indies with an emphatic seven wicket win in Karachi.

The result came in the face of vice captain Younis Khan pulling out of the match and a comprehensive seven wicket loss to the West Indies only days ago.

Set a total of 238, Pakistan’s top order left nothing to chance, needing less than five an over to secure the match and the series.

Openers Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez came out firing with an 87 run partnership, before Akmal hit a Collymore delivery straight to the fieldsmen, out for a fine 56 off just 59 balls.

The next man in Yasir Hameed was looking set, but a slight lapse of concentration whilst trying to hit Gayle out of the stadium, saw a first-rate Runako Morton catch on the boundary. Hameed departing for a well earned 41.

Hafeez made the runs look easy and after a massive six off again off Chris Gayle, his maiden ODI century looked all but certain. It was not to be however and with just 15 runs required, he fell to a Dave Mohammed ball that kept low whilst attempting the pull shot.

At that stage however the game was all but over as Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq guided their team to a thorough seven wicket victory.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistani bowlers limited the West Indies batsmen to just 238 after winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. They bowled neatly and efficiently all innings, never letting the West Indies batsmen take control.

Chanderpaul and Lara were the standouts for the West Indies, Chanderpaul scoring a concrete 101 and Lara, a professional 44, bringing up his 10,000th career ODI run in the process.

Full credit however must be given to the Pakistani bowlers, in particular Rana Naved-ul-Hasan who took 4 wickets for 43 runs, in a man of the match performance. Abdur Rehman, making the most of his limited opportunities, staked his claim for a place in the Pakistani World Cup side with an impressive 2-39. Mohammad Sami bowled tightly as well conceding just 39 runs off 10 overs and taking the wicket of Lendl Simmons in the process.

With this win, Pakistan have sealed the five match series 3-1, a notable feat over the West Indies, who were running into some fine form at the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan will now head to South Africa whilst the West Indies will go home for a much needed break.

West Indies 238/7
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 101, Brian Lara 44
Naved-ul-Hasan 4-43, Abdur Rehman 2-39

Pakistan win by 7 wickets

Pakistan 239/3
Mohammad Hafeez 92, Kamran Akmal 56
Chris Gayle 1-41, Corey Collymore 1-44