The West Indies stormed to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in Friday’s World Cup fixture at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
- Match lasted less than 36 overs
- Pakistan’s second lowest World Cup total
- Gayle nears 1000 World Cup runs
Pakistan slipped to a mere 105 all out inside 22 overs after opposition captain Jason Holder had won the toss and opted to bowl first. The total was a stark contrast to the 340 for seven amassed at the same venue during Pakistan’s ODI series against England less than two weeks ago.
The tally, too, is among the 25 lowest totals in the 44-year history of the tournament – and Pakistan’s second smallest. They had collapsed to 74 all out against England in Adelaide during the 1992 World Cup.
Fast bowler Oshane Thomas was Friday’s most prolific. He secured telling figures of four for 27, while Holder snared three breakthroughs. Seamer Andre Russell, meanwhile, continued the fine form gathered for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League earlier this year.
Russell exploited conditions well with shorter deliveries – and accounted for the important dismissals of opener Fakhar Zahman and middle-order kingpin Haris Sohail. He, however, hurt a knee while fielding.
The West Indies’ pursuit was predictably spearheaded by the big-hitting Chris Gayle, who welcomed a fine half-century from 33 deliveries. Gayle has the 18th most World Cup runs (994) – and is the only one among the top 20 still playing the intermediate format of the international game.
Gayle was eventually removed by seamer Mohammad Amir, who took all three wickets during Pakistan’s failed defence, as the West Indies won with all of 218 deliveries to spare.
England will host Pakistan on Monday, while the West Indies will meet Australia on Thursday. Both matches will be played in Nottingham.
Photo: Getty Images
