Windies victory

Gayle put behind him a hammering from Afridi in the morning session to grab the last four wickets for five runs in the space of 24 balls as he hastened a most welcomed win — the first for Shivnarine Chanderpaul in five Tests since his appointment as captain in late March for the series against South Africa.

The tall Jamaican finished with five for 91 off 18.3 overs as Pakistan, set a highly improbable 573 for victory, were bowled out for 296 in 62.3 overs from an overnight 113 for four. The innings ended 37 minutes after lunch on the fourth day, sparking wild celebrations in the stands among hundreds of faithful supporters among a crowd of 3,000.

Afridi, who batted at No 6 after opening in the first innings, recorded his third century in l8 Tests with typically, breathtaking strokes around the ground. He blasted his way to 122 in just under three hours off 95 balls with nine boundaries and six sixes before lifting fast bowler Daren Powell into the hands of deep mid-off in Chanderpaul just before lunch.

He had survived a chance on 35 to long-off in Devon Smith in the day’s second over from Gayle.

It was the 21st victory for West Indies — and the first following four defeats dating back to 2002 — in what was an historic 43rd Test at the region’s most celebrated venue. Kensington will undergo massive renovations in early June in preparation for the 2007 World Cup where the final and other key matches will be played.

Coincidentally, the last time West Indies beat Pakistan in the Caribbean was also on May 29, 2000, in Antigua. It was also their first win in nine Tests since defeating minnows Bangladesh in Jamaica last year.

Man-of-the-Match Chanderpaul, who scored 92 and 153 not out — his 14th Test century — pointed to a team effort for the success as he thanked all the fans. "Let me say thanks to the fans for their support over the couple of months," he said. "We wanted to stay in front from the start of the game, we did and in the end we came out on top. Let me say well done to all of the guys.... It was a team effort. I am happy that I was able to get the job done this time." Chanderpaul said his side needed to believe in themselves and carry that belief into the second and final Test in Jamaica starting on Friday.

"We have been lacking a little bit of confidence. I think it is up to us now to lift our game a little more and hopefully we can carry the confidence from this game into the next game," he said.

Younis Khan, leading Pakistan in the absence of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was serving a one-match suspension for over appealing in the previous series against India, conceded that his side was outclassed. "The first innings was the key to their winning the match. They really played well with the batting and bowling. They outclassed us," Younis said.

After the early escape for Afridi, he and his overnight partner Asim Kamal, who was on 38, kept West Indies at bay until just over half an hour’s play when left-hander Kamal edged a cut off Gayle. The ball came off wicket-keeper Courtney Browne’s body and he was caught at slip over his head by Smith for 55. He batted for two hours, faced 100 balls and struck eight fours and a six.

It ended a stand of 115 in 22.4 overs — the best of the innings. Afridi, whose half-century came in 78 minutes off 40 balls with four boundaries and a six, then opened his shoulders in partnership with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

He lifted pacer Corey Collymore over long-on for six and then overhead to race to 82. And he moved to 97 by slamming Gayle over midwicket onto the roof of the Kensington stand. The 50-run partnership between the pair came in 40 minutes off 59 balls.

Afridi brought up his century with a boundary over long-off, moving down the pitch with disdain off Powell. It came in 137 minutes off 78 balls and contained nine boundaries and four sixes. Next over from Gayle, Afridi swung two sixes over forward square and midwicket, forcing his removal from the attack.