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Windies wilt Pakistan pace attack captures test victoryPosted: Monday February 04, 2002 12:06 PMUpdated: Monday February 04, 2002 12:26 PM
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -- Pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Razzaq were in devastating form as Pakistan crushed West Indies by 170 runs after a spectacular collapse on the fifth and final day of the first test on Monday. West Indies, needing 342 to win, were in a comfortable position at 146 for three midway through the afternoon session but they quickly spiraled to defeat as they lost their last seven wickets for just 25 runs in 13 overs. Shoaib Akhtar returned career-best figures of five for 25 while medium pacer Abdur Razzaq took four wickets -- including three in one over -- to wrap up a remarkable victory by tea. At 111 for one, West Indies were well placed at the lunch break with Chris Gayle, unbeaten on 62, taking the attack to Pakistan with 14 boundaries. Shoaib, who clean bowled Daren Ganga (34) in the morning session with a delivery of blistering pace, struck again in successive overs shortly after the interval. Gayle (66) added one more boundary to his total before Shoaib spread his stumps and Wavell Hinds (8) soon followed him to the pavilion after edging a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Rashid Latif. Sherwin Campbell was run out for 20 before Abdur Razzaq, bowling his fourth over of the day, tore the heart out of the Windies' middle order. With the first ball he had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught behind and then trapped Carl Hooper and Ridley Jacobs lbw with the fifth and sixth deliveries. West Indies were suddenly in crisis and Shoaib Akhtar, returning for his third spell of the day, pushed them to the brink of defeat when he bowled Marvyn Dillon and Cameron Cuffy with successive deliveries. Ryan Hinds (9 not out) and Pedro Collins (12) put up a brief spell of resistance before Abdur Razzaq completed the rout when he bowled Collins (12) just before tea. Shoaib Akhtar's figures were his best in test cricket, improving upon his five for 43 against South Africa in Durban in 1998. The two-test series is taking place on the neutral territory of the United Arab Emirates after the West Indies expressed security concerns over tensions on the India-Pakistan border. Pakistan skipper salutes Shoaib after test bestPakistan skipper Waqar Younis singled out Shoaib Akhtar for special praise after Monday's crushing 170-run win over West Indies on the final day of the first test. Paceman Shoaib, nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express," took test best figures of five for 24 as the West Indies folded from 146 for three to 171 all out. "I am pleased with my team's performance, especially with the work of Shoaib who really bowled well -- as did Abdur Razzaq," said Waqar. "Shoaib, I think, has struck peak form and has no fitness problems. He has found the rhythm in his bowling which is a great thing for us. "I must also pay tribute to Rashid Latif for his excellent batting and keeping in the match. We were all concerned about the pitch but it played well very and surprised us. "Things are shaping well for us and if Inzamam also returns to form it will be an additional bonus for us," he said. West Indies captain Carl Hooper said his team failed to press home their advantage when they got into strong positions. "We had chances to take control of the match, but poor fielding let us down," said Hooper. "We let off Rashid Latif early [when he was on 27] and he went on to make a big score in the first innings. "We also batted poorly in the second innings against some quality bowling by Shoaib and Razzaq. "But we have to overcome this tendency of losing the grip on the match when it matters the most. "We hope to learn from our mistakes and produce a better performance in the second test," he said.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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