Mohammad Hafeez retired out on 101 to lay the foundation for a 68-run victory for Pakistan in the opening match of their Caribbean tour against the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI on Monday. The stand-in Pakistan captain struck 10 fours and two sixes from 93 balls to lead the visitors to 287 for seven from 50 overs, after they chose to bat in the one-day practice match at the Mindoo Phillip Park in the St. Lucia capital.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman then captured four for 27 from his 10 overs, as the VC XI were restricted to 219 for eight in their turn at the crease. This was the only match practice for the Pakistanis before they face West Indies in a Twenty20 International on Thursday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in the coastal town of Gros-Islet about four miles outside of the capital.
Hafeez enjoyed a slice of good fortune, when Keron Cottoy dropped him at backward point off West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards in the day's first over. He went on to share an opening stand of 77 with Taufeeq Umar, and added 130 for the second wicket with Ahmed Shehzad before he gave another team-mate a chance in the middle.
Umar Akmal supported with a boundary-studded 57, Shehzad scored 49, and Taufeeq made 44. Carlos Brathwaite was the most successful VC XI bowler with three for 38 from 10 overs, and leg-spinner Nkrumah Bonner finished with two for 25 from four overs.
The VC XI ran into trouble on 75 for three before Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies vice-captain, and Bonner put them back on course. Bravo, playing his first match since injuring his knee and being forced to return home from the recent World Cup, led the way with 63 that included four fours and two sixes, and Bonner added 43. Rehman however, claimed them both, and scalped two more wickets to swing the balance of power decisively Pakistan's way. The Pakistanis also contest five One-day Internationals and two Tests against West Indies on their six-week trip.
Scores: Pakistan - 287 for seven off 50 overs: (Mohammad Hafeez 101 retired, Umar Akmal 57 not out, Ahmed Shehzad 49, Taufeeq Umar 44; Carlos Brathwaite 3-38, Nkrumah Bonner 2-25) UWI Vice-Chancellor's XI - 219 for eight off 50 overs: (Dwayne Bravo 63, Nkrumah Bonner 43, Miles Bascombe 26, Kevin McClean 23 not out; Abdur Rehman 4-27).
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