Thomas and Holder shine as Windies bundle Pakistan for 105

Trent Bridge:  Overcast conditions and some quality bowlers in the team saw West Indies skipper Jason Holder have no hesitation in winning the toss and bowling first at Trent Bridge on Friday and the result was Pakistan folding up for just 105 as Oshane Thomas (4/27) and Holder (3/42) ran through the Pakistan batting line-up.

All-rounder Andre Russell played perfect second fiddle to the frontline pacers as he finished with figures of 2/4 from his three overs. This is Pakistan’s second lowest total in the World Cup.

Taking strike in overcast conditions, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed had spoken about the need to play out the first few overs cautiously. But that wasn’t to be as Imam-ul-Haq (2) was dismissed by Sheldon Cottrell in the third over of the innings.

Fakhar Zaman (22) and Babar Azam (22) did try to show some fight, but it was all about the Windies bowlers on the day as they looked to keep it simple and hit the right line and length with the wicket and overhead conditions helping them.

The Pakistan batsmen just didn’t seem to have the technique to take on the Windies pacers on a wicket that helped fast bowlers.

Tottering at 83/9, it finally took some hitting from Wahab Riaz (18) as the Pakistan total went past the 100-run mark. Going into the tournament as one of the most unpredictable sides, Pakistan failed to turn their fate as the Windies players walked off with grins on their face after finishing the Pakistan innings in just 21.4 overs.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 105 (Babar Azam 22; Thomas 4/27, Holder 3/42)

 Published on: May 31, 2019 at 17:02 IST

IANS