Pakistan took a lead of 2-1 over the host West Indies by winning 4th ODI match of Digicel Series. The match was reduced to 49 overs for both sides due to rain. Marlon Samuels was the star for the West Indies as he scored 106 runs. Duckworth-Lewis again played the sports spoil role in the ODI cricket. Pakistan with the help D-L method and good hitting won this match by 6 wickets.
 |
TOSS : Pakistan Won the Toss and Decided to Bowl first.
West Indies Inning
Batting:
West Indies open their innings with new opening pair Devon Smith and J Charles, while Gayle was sent to middle order. But the opening failed yet again and D Smith got at the score of 20. West Indies kept losing wickets and by the score of 63 they lost top 3 batsman. Samuels with next in Gayle stopped the falling of wickets and provided a partnership. But when it looked all set for West Indies, Gayle got out trying to hit a six. Now the onus was on the last match hero Simmons and Samuels to provide West Indies a solid partnership and take the team to a respectable total.
Marlon Samuels completed his 50 from 68 balls and also the 50 runs partnership for 5th wicket. West Indies completed their 200 in 42nd over of the inning. Simmons got out trying to score quickly and he made useful 46 runs. Samuels started playing big shot and he hit couple of sixes and fours getting closer to century while he kept losing partners on the other ends.
Samuels completed his 5th ODI century with a double of 2nd last ball of the inning and he finished the inning with huge six on last ball. The century celebration was very different from the West Indies and West Indians are famous for the diverse style of celebrations. Samuels hit 9 fours and 4 huge sixes in his 104 ball innings of 106. With the help of this century West Indies put up a total of 261 runs in the allotted 49 overs.
 |
| Marlon Samuels Celebrating His Century |
Bowling:
It was mix day for the Pakistan bowlers and Irfan with Hafeez started brilliantly. Irfan picked up wickets while 1 wicket went to Afridi, Junaid, Ajmal and Riyaz each.
Pakistan Inning
Batting:
As it has happened throughout the series Pakistan openers failed again. Pakistan lost first wicket at the score of 20. Hafeez and opener Jamshed gave the Pakistan of 40 runs before Jamshed got out. At the end of 17 overs Pakistan score was 65 and Misbah and Hafeez on the ground. Rain interrupted the match and due to which match reduced to 31 overs for Pakistan. Pakistan needed to score 121 runs in 14 overs to win this match and take a lead of 2-1.
As the match started again, Pakistan had no other option to go after the West Indies bowling and Hafeez started the scoring process. Hafeez and Misbah put a 50 partnership in just 42 balls. Hafeez got scoring 59 runs at the score of 132 in 24th over. Next man in Shahid Afridi couldn’t last long and he too got out scoring just 7 runs.
Then Misbah along with Umar Akamal took Pakistan home thanks to the brilliant hitting from Misbah and Akmal. Misbah remained not out at the 53 in 43 balls while U Akmal remained unbeaten on 29 in 18 overs. Pakistan chased down the revised target of 189 in 30 over at the loss of 4wickets.
 |
| Hafeez Hitting a shot in his 59 run inning against West Indies |
Then Misbah along with Umar Akamal took Pakistan home thanks to the brilliant hitting from Misbah and Akmal. Misbah remained not out at the 53 in 43 balls while U Akmal remained unbeaten on 29 in 18 overs. Pakistan chased down the revised target of 189 in 30 over at the loss of 4wickets.
 |
| Misbah playing a shot during his 50 |
Bowling:
Before the interruption from the rain match was going pretty much West Indies way, but rain costed West Indies the match. Their bowler couldn’t control the Pakistan batting. Holder, Roach and Dwayne Bravo picked up 1 wicket each.
Marlon Samuels was awarded Man of the match for his only century in the match. He was disappointed as his century couldn’t help West Indies to win the match. But the credit for win of Pakistan must be given to skipper Misbah Ul Haq and Md. Hafeez. Misbah has been consistent performer for the Pakistan in recent past.
Only one match left West Indies has an opportunity to finish the series with 2-2. But, for that they have to defeat Pakistan in last ODI of the series on July 24th.
Third ODI of the series was ended in a tie.
Third ODI of the series was ended in a tie.
Misbah has proved to be crucial player and always played according to the need of Pakistan. He is undoubtedly best player in the current Pakistan team.
ReplyDeletePakistan looks more or less one man army, but they need to find some good batsmen as Misbah is not going to be there for very long. Yet, Misbah has been been in Amazing form this year !
Delete