MELBOURNE, 20 January 2005 — Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal scored his maiden century in limited-overs internationals to guide Pakistan to a six-wicket win in their triangular series match against West Indies yesterday.

Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit half-centuries to lift West Indies to 273 for five wickets in their 50 overs. Pakistan reached 274 for four in reply, including Akmal’s 124, to win with three overs to spare at the Gabba ground in Brisbane.

Pakistan had been 36 for two in eight overs after Mervyn Dillon (2-46) struck twice, removing opener Salman Butt for 10 and Mohammad Hafeez for two. The 23-year-old Akmal, who has 15 one-day caps, shared a 123-run partnership for the third wicket with Shoaib Malik (60).

Man of the Match Akmal faced 125 balls, hitting 12 fours before he was caught at cover off the bowling of Ian Bradshaw at the start of the 41st over.

Akmal had put on 80 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, whose unbeaten 62 from 51 balls followed his 68 in Pakistan’s four-wicket loss to Australia in Hobart last week. It was Pakistan’s first international win on their tour of Australia, after losing all three Tests in the series which finished earlier this month.

Pakistan began the match in disarray when paceman Shoaib Akhtar left the field without completing his third over after breaking down a hamstring injury.

Gayle survived difficult batting conditions early in the morning session for West Indies to hit seven fours in his 99-ball knock of 82, adding 86 for the first wicket with fellow left-hander Wavell Hinds (29).

Coming in at 149 for two in the 34th over, West Indies captain Brian Lara had the perfect stage for a big innings.

However, the brilliant left-hander fell on 39, slicing a short ball to gully after facing 30 balls and stroking six fours. Rana Naved ul-Hasan (2-55) struck again two balls later, removing Ricardo Powell for a first-ball duck. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25 not out) and Sarwan (76) then contributed a half-century partnership for the fifth wicket. Australia host West Indies in Brisbane tomorrow.

New South Wales Put S. Australia to the Sword

In Adelaide, Australia, New South Wales tightened the screws on bottom-placed South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match yesterday, building an overall lead of 313 after the second day at the Adelaide Oval. At stumps, NSW were 150 for 2 in their second innings after bowling South Australia out for a miserable 135 in their first innings of the four-day game.

NSW then opted not to enforce the follow-on, despite holding a 163-run first innings lead. Paceman Matthew Nicholson ripped apart the South Australian top order, taking 4-36 while spinner Stuart MacGill cleaned up the tail with 3-17. For South Australia, Greg Blewett with 42 and Nathan Adcock on 21 were the only players to reach 20.

In Hobart, a 98-run seventh-wicket stand between Sean Clingeleffer and Damien Wright saved face for Tasmania on day two of the match against Queensland at Bellerive Oval.

With Tasmania struggling on 179 for 6 after some dour batting, the keeper and quick bowler added almost 100 runs to lift the team to 294 for 8 at stumps chasing Queensland’s first innings of 401.