da mrbet： The West Indies cricket team lost for the first time in sixmatches this past Wednesday when they were defeated in the firstof three Cable and Wireless one-day finals against Pakistan atKensington Oval in Barbados
Zach Kenworthy21-Apr-2000The West Indies cricket team lost for the first time in sixmatches this past Wednesday when they were defeated in the firstof three Cable and Wireless one-day finals against Pakistan atKensington Oval in Barbados. West Indies captain, Jimmy Adamslost the toss and was asked to bowl for the first time in theone-day series. Pakistan scored steadily but lost two earlywickets in Shahid Afridi (17) and Imran Nazir (12), but as YounisKhan (23) was joined by Inzamam-ul-Haq (66) Pakistan made arecovery with a 49 run partnership. It was obvious that the gamewas going to be dominated by slow scoring as both batsmen, whoare typically attacking, struggled to put together the firstsubstantial partnership of the innings from 18 overs. After Khanwas brilliantly run out by Jimmy Adams and Ridley Jacobs,however, the wheels of the Pakistani innings began to come off.Wickets fell at regular intervals and at one point Pakistan were144 for 8 with just 8 overs remaining. However, experience onceagain displayed its worth as Wasim Akram (42 not out from 36balls) played with authority as he and Mushtaq Ahmed (11 not out)lifted Pakistan’s total to 197 for 8 from 50 overs. The WestIndies’ bowlers bowled with continued accuracy and consistency asReon King claimed 2 for 37 and was ably assisted by Ambrose,McLean, Adams and Gayle who all picked up 1 wicket apiece.In reply, the West Indies never truly got going. They made avaliant effort to pace themselves for the chase but continued tofall too far behind the required run rate. After Campbell fellfor just 11, Philo Wallace (47) and Wavell Hinds (35) ploddedalong as they built a partnership of 87 from 24.3 overs. Like thePakistani innings, wickets then began to fall at regularintervals as the lower order batsmen realised that they wereunder immense pressure to score runs quickly. Only Sylvester`Bouncin’ Joseph, in his debut was capable of guiding the WestIndies toward the Pakistani total as he crashed 28 from 32 ballswith 1 four and a six. His teammates crumbled around him as theWest Indies innings closed at 180 all out. All-rounder, ShahidAfridi was the pick of the bowlers as he cleaned up the lowerorder with 3 for 16 and pacer Waqar Younis claimed 2 for 34.It was a disappointing start to the West Indies’ 3 match finalsas much was expected of them as they crushed Zimbabwe in the twotest series and won 4 one days in a row. However, the spiritwithin the dressing room is still very high and after the match,West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams expressed that he is still abeliever that the West Indies will win the inaugural three-wayone-day series in the Caribbean.