World Cup: West Indies thump Pakistan by 150 runs

Christchurch. Feb 21 (IANS) A much-improved all-round performance helped the West Indies thump Pakistan by 150 runs, their biggest margin of victory in terms of runs against the Asian team, in a Pool B World Cup match here Saturday.

Pakistan have now lost their first two games for the tournament while the West Indies won their first match after losing their opener against Ireland.

Pakistan were reduced to one for four after 3.1 overs chasing a target of 311 runs. Pacer Jerome Taylor (3/15) took the first three wickets to fall, which broke the backbone of Pakistn's batting at Hagley Oval.

Pakistan had strengthened their batting line-up since their opening match loss to India by dropping leg-spinner Yasir Shah and bringing in Nasir Jamshed as opener. But, Jamshed (0) failed to click.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (7) fell in the 11th over to leave the 1992 champions sorrily placed at 25 for five.

Wicketkeeper Umar Akmal (59), together with Sohaib Maqsood (50), structured the innings to an extent, putting up 80 runs before Maqsood fell to a brilliant catch by Sullieman Benn off the bowling of Darren Sammy (one for 47).

Akmal was the next to fall when he holed out to Dwayne Smith to give Man-of-the-Match Andre Russell (three for 33) his second wicket, leaving Pakistan 7/139 with the tail exposed.

Shahid Afridi (28), Wahab Riaz (3) and Sohail Khan (1) then fell for just 21 runs as Pakistan limped to an all-out score of 160 in 39 overs.

Earlier, an all-round batting performance from the West Indies helped them to 310 for six against a sloppy Pakistan.

Pakistan were left to rue several dropped catches after winning the toss and deciding to bowl first as the West Indies recovered from the loss of early wickets to post a strong total.

The West Indies struggled early on as destructive opener Chris Gayle (4) went early, top edging pacer Mohammed Irfan's delivery.

Fellow opener Dwayne Smith (23) was soon back in the pavilion as the side from Caribbean were reduced to 28/2 inside the first eight overs.

However, the West Indies were able to recover as Darren Bravo (49) and Marlon Samuels (38) tried to attack before Bravo retired hurt with a hamstring injury.

Denesh Ramdin's 51 off 43 helped to accelerate the Windies past 300, with Lendl Simmons hitting 50 off 46 balls.

The West Indies managed to reach 310-6 after Andre Russell smashed a quick-fire 43 off just 13 deliveries in the dying overs.

Brief Scores: West Indies 310/6 (Denesh Ramdin 51, Lendl Simmons 50; Haris Sohail 2/62, Mohammad Irfan 1/44); Pakistan 160 all out in 39 overs (Umar Akmal 59, Sohaib Maqsood 50, Jerome Taylor 3/15, Andre Russell 3/33)