SYDNEY, 2 February 2005 — Yousuf Youhana scored a match-winning century as Pakistan joined Australia in the final of a one-day tri-series with a 30-run win over West Indies yesterday.
Youhana scored 105 off 100 balls and Inzamam ul-Haq made 74 off 67 deliveries to help Pakistan post a formidable 307 for eight at the WACA in Perth.
West Indies were then bowled out for 277 in the 49th over despite 87 from Ramnaresh Sarwan and 58 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The pair helped their side to 194 for three in the 33rd over but when they departed the innings folded, the last seven wickets falling for 83. Paceman Rana Naved-ul-Hasan mopped up the tail to finish with four for 29.
West Indies won the toss and made a reasonable start, reducing Pakistan to 90 for three in the 23rd over when the momentum suddenly changed as Youhana and Inzamam added 134 off 119 balls for the fourth wicket.
Inzamam smashed 10 fours before he was bowled by Dwayne Bravo with the total on 224.
Man of the match Youhana was more patient but no less effective. He managed nine boundaries but was more content to accumulate his runs through singles and twos.
He reached his 11th One-Day International hundred off 95 deliveries but departed three balls from the end when he was caught short of his ground trying to scamper home for a second run. Ian Bradshaw was the pick of the bowlers, capturing three wickets for 47 off 10 overs.
In reply West Indies lost Chris Gayle for a duck but still looked to be in with a chance of an unlikely victory when Sarwan and Chanderpaul added 95 for the fourth wicket. The West Indian lower order had staged a late fightback to win last year’s ICC Champions Trophy final against England but there were no heroics this time.
Pakistan will now play Australia in the best-of-three finals series. The opening match will be played at Melbourne on Friday with the second match in Sydney on Sunday. A third match, if required, will be held in Adelaide next yesterday.
Pakistan to Host Asia Cup in 2006, Says PCB
Pakistan will host the Asia Cup one-day tournament in late March next year, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said yesterday. Khan told Reuters that a decision had been made at Monday’s meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Dubai.
“All the other Test playing nations of the ACC — India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — have confirmed participation in the tournament and we will have some qualifying teams also,” Shaharyar confirmed.
Pakistan Seek Changes to India Tour
Pakistan have asked India for changes to the proposed itinerary of next month’s Test and one-day series in India.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan did not elaborate on the proposed changes to reporters but a source within the PCB said there were concerns over Ahmedabad hosting the second Test. Pakistan are due to tour India from Feb. 25, playing three Tests and five one-day internationals. Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, was the site of some of the worst communal riots in India in 2002.
