NOTTINGHAM – West Indies hammered Pakistan by seven wickets at Trent Bridge on Friday to launch their World Cup campaign in style.
Pakistan were bowled out for just 105, with Oshane Thomas taking four wickets, before Chris Gayle smashed a quick-fire fifty as the West Indies romped home in just 13.4 overs.
West Indian fast bowler Oshane Thomas with his phenomenal 4-27 spell scripted a shambolic collapse of Pakistan batting line up as he played a vital role in sending the Champions Trophy winner packing on 105.
This is Pakistan’s second-lowest score in the World Cup. The team’s lowest score is 74 all out against England in 1992. Interestingly, this is also Pakistan lowest against the West Indies in all world cup matches – Previous was 160 in 2015.
The Sarfraz men played only 21.4 overs of the innings as Jason Holder picked three wickets, Andre Russel took two and Sheldon Cottrell bagged one wicket.
Pakistan left out experienced batsman Shoaib Malik, playing his last World Cup, and also hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali to go with two frontline spinners and three fast bowlers.
Seam bowler Kemar Roach was left out of the West Indies line-up. “I don’t think the conditions will change much,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder.
“Hopefully we can use the overhead conditions to get some early wickets. We’ve had a good camp and got a lot out of our warm-up games.”
Fakhar-Imam ready to take the field!!!#WIvPAK Live Updates: https://t.co/tcW8gKyMCK #CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/2NM0pEtKc0
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 31, 2019
Crowd outside hotel ?#WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/9s7M0ywuoZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 31, 2019
Playing XI for today! #WIvPAK Live Updates: https://t.co/tcW8gKyMCK #CWC19 #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/AyKe5R5Kqy
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 31, 2019
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said, “We wanted to bowl first because of the overcast conditions and a bit of moisture, but it will be a good batting pitch.”
World Cup kicks off with Royal appointment and street party in front of Buckingham Palace #WeHaveWeWill #CWC19https://t.co/Uw4lULmhkY pic.twitter.com/P1pILnU9tX
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 30, 2019
Trent Bridge has witnessed some high scoring games in the recent past. The boundaries are short here and the pitch is usually flat. It gets difficult for teams to defend totals here that’s why usually captains prefer to field first here in Nottingham.
Weather Condition:
Cloudly condition is expected for the most part of the match, with some sunny intervals in between. Rain is also expected to stay away, but the overcast conditions could make Gayle against Amir and Wahab Riaz an intriguing contest.
Previous Highest Scores:
Pakistan: 266 runs
West Indies: 310 runs
Lowest Scores:
Pakistan: 113 runs
West Indies: 112 runs
History :
Pakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir.
West Indies XI: Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wicketkeeper), Andre Russell, Jason Holder (captain), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.
