Hafeez leads Pakistan to win in tour opener

Retired out on 101 to lay the foundation for 68-run victory for Pakistan in the opening match of their Caribbean tour.

CASTRIES:

Mohammad Hafeez retired out on 101 to lay the foundation for a 68-run victory for Pakistan in the opening match of their Caribbean tour against the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor’s XI on Monday.

Pakistan’s stand-in captain struck 10 fours and two sixes from 93 balls to lead the visitors to 287 for seven from 50 overs, after they chose to bat in the one-day practice match at the Mindoo Phillip Park.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman then captured four for 27 from his 10 overs as the VC XI were restricted to 219 for eight in reply. This was the only match practice for Pakistan before they face West Indies in a Twenty20 International tomorrow.

Hafeez enjoyed a slice of good fortune when Keron Cottoy dropped him at backward point off West Indies fast-bowler Fidel Edwards in the day’s first over. He went on to share an opening stand of 77 with Taufeeq Umar, and added 130 for the second wicket with Ahmed Shehzad before he gave another teammate a chance in the middle.

Umar Akmal supported with a boundary-studded 57, Shehzad scored 49, and Taufeeq made 44. Carlos Brathwaite was the most successful VC XI bowler with three for 38 from 10 overs, and leg-spinner Nkrumah Bonner finished with two for 25 from four overs.

The VC XI ran into trouble on 75 for three before Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies vice-captain, and Bonner put them back on course. Bravo led the way with 63 that included four fours and two sixes, and Bonner added 43. Rehman, however, dismissed them both before picking up two more wickets to swing the balance of power decisively Pakistan’s way.

Haynes to be WI batting consultant

West Indies have been able to persuade Desmond Haynes, one of their legends, to become a batting consultant for the current side.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced that Haynes will work with Darren Sammy’s side for the duration of the home series against Pakistan and India before it undertakes a search for a long-term batting coach.

“I have always said I wanted to be involved in West Indies cricket, and help in any way I could,” said Haynes in a WICB media release announcing his appointment. “This is a chance to help the young players with their development. I just want to see the players get better as we aim for improvement at all levels in West Indies cricket and get the team back to the halcyon days.”

Haynes’ appointment is timely, since there are several unproven batsmen in the line-up to face Pakistan in the opening exchanges of a home series during the next week after the omissions of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th,  2011.