Wisden
Match 3, Pakistan v West Indies

VB Series, (A/ P/ WI) 2004-05

Daniel Brettig


At Brisbane, January 19, 2005. Pakistan won by six wickets. Pakistan 5 pts, West Indies 1 pt. Toss: Pakistan.

Shoaib Akhtar departed the series with a hamstring strain after delivering five wides in 2.5 overs, but in the end it was West Indies' bowling that looked thin as Pakistan cantered home. After surviving a 9 a.m. start and some extravagant seam movement from Naved-ul-Hasan, Gayle clattered his only significant score of the tournament, and Sarwan robustly guided West Indies to 273. Two early wickets for Dillon suggested a testing afternoon for Pakistan, but Kamran Akmal fired off a string of bright shots for 124 in 125 balls; he and the middle order took severe toll on West Indies' part-time bowlers to ensure an easy win. Afterwards, referee Chris Broad reported Mohammad Hafeez for a suspect action.

Man of the Match: Kamran Akmal. Attendance: 10,458.

© John Wisden & Co.