WI dump Pakistan easily

SOUTHAMPTON: Set up by their bowlers and formalised by their batsmen, West Indies cruised yesterday into the final of the ICC Champions Trophy limited-overs cricket series when they completed a seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan. Chasing a modest 132 from the full allocation of 50 overs, West Indies hit the jackpot with 21.5 overs to spare when vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan drove a delivery from part-time bowler Yousuf Youhana through cover for a single.

Sarwan hit half-dozen fours and a single six in the top score 56 from 85 balls to earn the “Man-of-the-Match” award and lead West Indies into Saturday’s final at The Oval in London against hosts England, opponents with whom they have become very familiar in recent months and they have a score to settle. “We’ve played against England in a limited-overs series earlier in the summer and we did well against them and that may give us a psychological advantage against them,” Sarwan said. “I am expecting that it will be a keen final.” The West Indies’ victory was however, marred by a touch of concern for captain Brian Lara. The world record-breaking left-handed batsman retired hurt on 31 after he was hit in the neck by a bumper from fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the 15th over when the total was 76 for two.

“Brian is alright,” Sarwan reassured. “He is getting treatment for the blow and will be fine for the final and so there is no need for us to worry at this stage.” Blessed with a helpful Rose Bowl pitch and overcast weather after they were surprisingly asked to field, West Indies dismissed the Pakistanis for a modest 131 in 38.2 overs. For Pakistan, Yasir Hameed’s 39 from 56 balls that included half-dozen boundaries was the top score and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq supported with a sedate 21 from 44 balls. Corey Collymore, Wavell Hinds and Dwayne Bravo, all gaining appreciable movement, finished with two wickets apiece.

“We were very much surprised that Pakistan decided to bat first and it would be hard for me to pinpoint any particular individual for special mention because it was a team effort,” Sarwan said. “I thought we played pretty well. In recent times, we have been performing well in the limited-overs form of the game and I hope that we will be able to either continue or improve this form in the final.” The West Indies chase, however, had a skaky start. Chris Gayle was adjudged leg before wicket to Shoaib for one in the third over and Wavell Hinds was superbly caught and bowled by the same fast bowler two overs later to leave them 20 for two. Mixing sound defence with crisp strokes, Sarwan and Lara eliminated any doubts by adding 56 before the captain’s departure. By then, it was only a matter of time and, though Shivnarine Chanderpaul was caught at mid-off off spin bowler Shoaib Malik in the 24th over, the result was always inevitable.

Earlier, West Indies had early success when Ian Bradshaw had opening batsman Salman Butt, making his limited-overs international debut, caught at second slip for a two-ball duck with the third ball of the match. Their diligence in the field, particularly from Bravo, brought them the first of two run outs after Yasir and Shoaib Malik added 64 for the second wicket in the highest partnership of the innings. Yasir was run out in the 19th over when he failed to beat Bravo’s throw from third man to wicketkeeper Courtney Browne to leave Pakistan 65 for two. West Indies knew things were truly going their way when they claimed Pakistan’s two most experienced batsmen in quick succession. Yousuf Youhana was third out when he caught behind off Bravo in the 30th over, and Inzamam was also caught behind off Wavell Hinds in the 35th over to leave Pakistan 111 for five.

“We took a chance in batting first because we felt that if we could get 200 runs, it would have been hard for West Indies to chase that many on this pitch, but West Indies bowled really well,” Inzamam said. After the departure of Yousuf and Inzamam, there was neither substance nor stability from the rest of the batting, as Pakistan saw their last eight wickets fall for 60 runs in 16.5 overs. England advanced to the final after they ended their Australia jinx and completed a six-wicket triumph over the undisputed world champions in the first semi-final on Tuesday at Birmingham.