Pakistan ease to 68-run victory

(Cricinfo) Pakistan breezed to a 68-run win over Windward Islands in the first of their warm-up games at Gros Islet. Put in to bat by Windward Islands, the visitors reached 160 for 7 thanks mainly to Mohammad Hafeez’s enterprising half century. Windward Islands crawled to 92 for 4 in reply, with Mohammad Asif being the only Pakistan bowler to go for more than four runs an over.

Pakistan lost Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal early in their innings but Hafeez steadied the middle order and lead a late charge before he was bowled by Keron Cottoy for 57. Captain Shahid Afridi and Fawad Alam both reached the 20s before they were dismissed, and a late flurry by Misbah-ul-Haq, who smote two sixes in an eight-ball 17, boosted Pakistan’s score in the closing overs.

Windward Islands’ reply never got going, and after captain Johnson Charles was caught by Hafeez off the bowling of Mohammad Aamer for 15 the fight seemed to go from the batsmen. Keddy Lesporis top-scored with 24, while the wickets were shared around by Pakistan’s bowlers, with Aamer, Hafeez, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal each picking up one.

Pakistan’s next warm-up is against Zimbabwe tomorrow at the same venue.