Pakistan beat West Indies to lead series 2-1

Beausejour (St.Lucia), July 22 (IANS): A captain’s knock by Misbah Ul-Haq and a fluent half century by Mohammad Hafeez piloted Pakistan to a six-wicket win over the West Indies by the Duckworth Lewis method despite a brilliant unbeaten hundred by man of the match Marlon Samuels.

Pakistan have now taken an unassailable 2-1 lead with the final ODI to be played Wednesday, reports CMC.

Hafeez struck 59 with five fours and two sixes off 62 balls Sunday. Misbah was undefeated on 53 with three fours and one six off 43 balls as Pakistan reached a revised target of 189 off 39 overs with six balls to spare here.

Umar Akmal was undefeated on 29 and put on 45 with his captain for an unbroken fifth wicket partnership.

The match started as a 49 over affair and was further reduced when rain intervened for a second time when Pakistan reached 68 for two off 17 overs chasing a target of 262.

When play resumed, the Pakistanis required a further 121 off 14 overs under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Earlier, Marlon Samuels started cautiously and later blossomed as his innings progressed to stroke a masterful 106 not out to steer the West Indies to a competitive 261 for seven off 49 overs.

The stylish Jamaican struck nine fours and four sixes in 151 minutes off 104 balls. It was his fifth One-day International (ODI) hundred and second against Pakistan.

He featured in a fifth wicket partnership of 95 with in-form Lendl Simmons who hit 46 off 44 balls with five fours and one six.

Samuels was also involved in a 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Chris Gayle who contributed 30 batting down the order at number five.

The other major knock in the West Indies innings came from opener Johnson Charles (32 off 48 balls).

Tall Pakistani opening pacer Mohammad Irfan had the best returns with two for 60 from 10 overs, including the wickets of opener Devon Smith and Darren Sammy.