Afridi upbeat after huge win

Pakistan eye series victory ahead of second ODI today.

ST LUCIA:

A thumping win over the West Indies in the first One-Day International (ODI) has prompted Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to praise his team’s batting performance and call for more consistency in the remaining matches.

Pakistan, who lost the one-off Twenty20 as blame was placed on the batsmen, recovered well to beat the hosts by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Opener Mohammad Hafeez and middle-order batsmen Misbahul Haq and Asad Shafiq scored half-centuries as Pakistan comfortably chased down the 222-run target in the 42nd over.

“Im very happy with our batting performance,” said Afridi after the victory.

“All the three batsmen played sensibly especially Misbah. He proved that he’s still a core part of our batting line-up.”

The captain also praised Hafeez who won the man-of-the-match award for his 54 runs besides claiming a wicket.

“Hafeez is performing well as an all-rounder now. He has become an important part of our team and I’m pleased that he’s stepping up.”

Eyeing series win

Afridi, whose team will play the second ODI against West Indies today, hoped Pakistan batsmen continue the good show. “We need consistency in our batting. We need to build partnerships like the first game.

“Our bowlers are doing well especially the spinners and we hope to clinch the series.”

‘Pakistan should sweep series’

Meanwhile, considering the second-string West Indies side, former captain Rashid Latif said Pakistan should sweep the series.

“West Indies are playing without their key players. Pakistan are under less pressure and there’s no reason for them to not play well.”

Batsmen secure huge win

And there was no pressure as Pakistan romped to an eight-wicket win in St Lucia.

Misbah hit the top score of an unbeaten 73 from 90 deliveries, and Shafiq supported with 61 not out from 76 balls, after Hafeez gave Pakistan a flying start.

The vice-captain joined Shafiq when Pakistan were reduced to 88 for two and together the pair marched Pakistan to victory with an unbroken, third-wicket stand of 134, a record for any wicket on the ground.

Earlier, wayward bowling from the visitors in the closing overs had let West Indies finish with 221 for six from their 50 overs.

Wahab Riaz was the most successful bowler with two for 62 from 10 overs, but he and fellow left-arm fast-medium bowler Junaid Khan let their side down as Pakistan conceded 47 runs off the last 33 deliveries.

It was Pakistan’s spin bowling of Saeed Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi who bogged down the West Indies batsmen in the middle overs to ensure the hosts did not reach a sizeable total. AFP (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FAWAD HUSSAIN)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2011.