West Indies pacemen roll over Pakistan for 105 in CWC
Pakistan failed to handle West Indies’ bombardment of short bowling and was skittled out for 105 in 21.4 overs in the second match of the Cricket World Cup at Trent Bridge on Friday.
All of the wickets were taken by West Indies’ pacemen, whose approach of pitching the ball short and often at the body dumbfounded the Pakistanis and led to some unwise shot selection, the UNB reported.
Oshane Thomas had 4-27, Jason Holder took 3-42, and wicketkeeper Shai Hope took four catches for the West Indies, which is looking to win its third 50-over world title and first since its glory days in the 1970s.
The style and aggressiveness of the team’s bowling was certainly a nod to those famous West Indies teams of old.
wickets in 5.3 overs, is on course to lose its 11th straight completed ODI.
The top-scoring batsmen were Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, who both made 22 in Pakistan second lowest total in a World Cup.
Trent Bridge is known for delivering big scores — England has made the two biggest ODI totals in history here — so Pakistan barely reaching three figures was a major disappointment for the loud and boisterous green-clad fans in the crowd.
Gun bowler Sheldon Cottrell set the tone for the West Indies’ barrage when he enticed an attempted hook from Imam-ul-Haq, who gloved down the leg side to Hope for 2. Cottrell, who has a military background, celebrated by pacing back down the wicket and making a salute.
Andre Russell, making only his third ODI appearance since the 2015 World Cup, was the first change and got a wicket with his fifth ball when Fakhar dragged a short ball onto his own stumps.
And the allrounder did for Haris Sohail (8) 11 balls later, too, sending down a series of short balls before bowling one slightly fuller and getting the edge to Hope.
Babar was dropped by Shimron Hetmyer on 12 but scored only 10 more runs before slashing high off Thomas and edging behind, Hope again taking the catch.
The Pakistani batsmen routinely ducked under the short-pitched balls, instead of going for the pull shot, and their fans booed when a wide wasn’t signaled by the umpires.
When captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (8) did go for one, he mistimed it and tickled Holder to Hope. The not-out decision was reversed after DRS showed it brushed his glove.
Pakistan was in serious trouble on 75-5, and lost its next three wickets for six runs off 14 balls.
Tailender Wahab Riaz smashed a six, and then a four and another six off consecutive balls, but was the last man out for 18. For a change, it was off a delivery that was pitched up, from Holder.