GROS ISLET, St. Lucia, 22 May 2005 — Half-centuries from Shoaib Malik and captain Inzamam ul-Haq helped Pakistan to post a competitive 258 for 8 from their allocation of 50 overs in the second One-Day International against West Indies yesterday.
Shoaib, who Chris Gayle dropped on one at first slip off Daren Powell in the ninth over, and Inzamam both hit three boundaries and both scored 51 from 91 and 58 balls respectively.
The two added 55 for the fourth wicket to lead consistent batting right down the order from the Pakistanis, who also got 48 from Younis Khan.
Corey Collymore snared three wickets for 40 runs from his allotment of 10 overs to be the pick of the West Indies bowlers.
Pakistan, who chose to bat in ideal conditions, suffered two setbacks inside the first 10 overs, when Shahid Afridi was caught at mid-off for 12 off Powell, who smartly fielded to his own bowling, and effected the run out of Salman Butt for 16 to leave the visitors 33 for two in the seventh over.
Yousuf Youhana joined Shoaib and was just beginning to seize control, when Wavell Hinds, bowling his part-time medium pace, had him caught behind for 21 in the 20th over to leave Pakistan at 81 for three.
Shaoib was run out when he failed to beat Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s direct hit at the bowler’s end from mid-on in the 31st over, and Inzamam retired hurt on 33 after one of Gayle’s off-spin darts struck in the groin region in the 36th over. Abdul Razzaq came to the wicket to replace Inzamam and with Younis lifted the tempo, but Collymore bowled him for 20 in the 41st over, and the Pakistanis could only make steady, and not flourishing, progress towards the close of their innings.
