March 14, 2007
AFP, Reuters
Cricket World Cup hosts, the West Indies won today’s opening World Cup match by 54 runs after Dwayne Smith tormented Pakistan with both bat and ball in Group D at Sabina Park. The 23-year-old all-rounder smashed a quickfire 32 from 15 balls to help West Indies reach a competitive total of 9-241 after their innings looked to be running out of momentum following the departure of Marlon Samuels for 63.
Smith was similarly menacing with the ball, taking three key Pakistan wickets for 36 runs, including their dangerous captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for 36.
Pakistan finally capitulated at 187 all out. Shoaib Malik top-scored for them and was last out for 62.
Brief scores:
West Indies 241-9 in 50 overs (Samuels 63, Sarwan 49; Rao Iftikhar 3-44)
Pakistan 187 all out in 47.2 overs (Shoaib Malik 62, Mohammad Yousuf 37; Smith 3-36, Bravo 3-42)