The West Indies have put in a ruthless performance to open their 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign, blasting past a poor Pakistan outfit with ease at Trent Bridge.
All the talk coming into the tournament was that the men from the Carribean would have to be carried by their batting, with the bowling attack well and truly off the mark set by the front runners.
While Pakistan may not be the best barometer of success at the tournament, Jason Holder’s side stuck to their guns in the field, following a plan which was to bowl short, and, taking all their chances, they made the Pakistan batsmen look second class.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, it was Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq who looked to have Pakistan off to a solid start on a pitch offering little at a ground where the last two ODI matches have seen scores of over 350 by the side batting first.
However, Andre Russell was introduced into the attack in just the sixth over for the West Indies, and made an immediate difference, taking the first two wickets of the contest.
From there, it was a regular fall of wickets for Pakistan, with some dreadful cricket shots being played as they crumbled in a heap to be all out for just 105.
Out side of Fakhar, Babar Azam was the only batsman to make 20, and while a short cameo from Wahab Riaz at the end got them past 100, it was never going to be enough.
While Russell set the path for the WIndies, Oshane Thomas was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4/27 on his World Cup debut.
The West Indies, in reply, took under 14 overs to get the job done, with Chris Gayle at his blasting best from the word go. There was very little technique on show, but his 50 from 34 balls with six 4s and three 6s did the damage for the WIndies, who never had the result question during the chase.
Nicholas Pooran guided them home after Gayle’s dismissal, and while Shai Hope got out cheaply, there was very little to not like about the performance for the West Indies.
The only real bright spot for Pakistan was the efforts of Mohammad Amir, who took three wickets in his six overs during the run chase, keeping things reasonably economical as well.
The big worry for the WIndies was a back niggle sustained while batting by Gayle, however, they have a six-day turnaround before playing Australia in their second game, and will be hopeful of the big-hitting opener being fit.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are left to lick their wounds and do some soul-searching before they take on hosts England come Monday night.
Pakistan 10/105 (21.4) – Fakhar Zaman 22, Babar Azam 22, Oshane Thomas 4/27, Jason Holder 3/42) defeated by West Indies 3/108 (13.4) – Chris Gayle 50, Nicholas Pooran 34, Mohammad Amir 3/26)
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