Pakistanis won by 68 runs

Pakistanis won by 68 runs

University of WI vice-chancellor's XI v Pakistanis, tour game, St Lucia

Hafeez, Rehman star in convincing win

ESPNcricinfo staff

April 19, 2011

Pakistan made a winning start to their tour of West Indies, as stand-in captain Mohammad Hafeez's ton and Abdul Rehman's four-wicket haul steered them to a comfortable 68-run victory against University of West Indies vice-chancellor's XI.

Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan chose to bat, and immediately benefited from the hosts' generosity. Hafeez was dropped in the first over by Keron Cottoy, off the bowling of Fidel Edwards. Hafeez made the home side pay, slamming ten fours and two sixes in his 93-ball 101 , before retiring out. He was supported well by opening partner Taufeeq Umar, who dominated the 77-run first-wicket stand with a score of 44 before becoming the first of three Carlos Brathwaite victims.

Ahmed Shehzad took over where Taufeeq left, contributing 49 to a 130-run stand as Hafeez shifted gears. Umar Akmal went after the bowling in the end overs, carting eight fours and a six in his aggressive unbeaten 57. His flurry lifted the Pakistanis to a strong total of 287 for 7. Dwayne Bravo had a forgettable time with the ball, leaking 69 runs in his eight-over spell.

Miles Bascombe and Omar Phillips began the chase well, adding 40 for the opening wicket, before wickets began to tumble. The seam trio of Tanvir Ahmed, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz struck once each to reduce the hosts to 75 for 3 before Nkruma Bonner and Bravo began a repair job. They added 48 for the fourth wicket after which Rehman began to make incisions.

Bonner's dismissal for 43 triggered a mini-collapse as 123 for 3 became 146 for 6 in quick time. Bravo scored a breezy 63 off 70 balls and showed little evidence of the injury that curtailed his participation in World Cup. He hit four fours and two sixes before holing out against Rehman. Kevin McLean and Cottoy added an unbroken 39 for the ninth wicket to reduce the margin of defeat, but Pakistan still won the game by 68 runs.

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