West Indies spinner Sunil Narine is congratulated by Kemar Roach (left) for taking four Pakistan wickets for 26 runs during the 2nd ODI at Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown on Tuesday. (AFP)
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Pakistan returned to their self-destructive ways as West Indies completed a 37-run victory in the second One-dayer at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday. |
Solid contributions by the Bravo brothers, Darren and Dwayne, boosted the West Indies batting effort after they had gotten off to the worst possible start when giant left-arm fast bowler Mohammed Irfan had Chris Gayle caught at the wicket in the first over of the day.
Two days after demolishing the hosts by 126 runs, the visitors folded up for 195 in 47.5 overs in reply to the Caribbean side’s total of 232 for eight after they were put in on a pitch expected to offer considerable assistance to the bowlers following the previous day’s torrential rain.
Pakistan appeared to be cruising along at 103 for two with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq well entrenched and opener Nasir Jamshed (54) riding his considerable luck towards a half-century.
But Misbah played a shot totally out of character to be bowled by Darren Sammy, a fitting reward for the all-rounder playing his 100th ODI.
That dismissal was followed by a succession of poor shots and with spinner Sunil Narine returning to wicket-taking form in snaring four for 26 to claim the ‘Man-of-the-Match’ award, a rearguard 50 by wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal proved to be too little, too late for Pakistan.
With the series now level, the teams now travel to St Lucia for the remaining three matches, beginning tomorrow, before the short tour concludes with two T20 matches in St Vincent on July 27 and 28.
Darren Bravo’s top score of 54 paced his team through the first half of the innings while skipper Dwayne Bravo provided vital impetus in holding the latter half.