Pakistan's batting was undermined by West Indies' three frontline seamers and
their bowling upstaged by another blistering innings from Lendl Simmons in a
10-wicket loss in the fifth one-day international on Thursday.
A fluent 55 off 83 balls from Mohammad Hafeez failed to inspire the
Pakistani, and their batting crumbled for the first time in the series as they
were all out for 139 in 41.2 overs after winning the toss on an unpredictable
Guyana National Stadium pitch.
The visitors' bowlers found it difficult to defend such a modest target as
Simmons hit a career-best, unbeaten 77 from 73 deliveries, and fellow opener
Kirk Edwards supported with 40 from 71 ball to guide the hosts to victory with
159 balls remaining.
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Pakistan however, won the five-match series 3-2, with comfortable victories
in the first three matches.
"It is a disappointing end to the series for us because it was not a pitch on
which we should have been dismissed for 139," said Pakistan captain Shahid
Afridi.
"Our batting has been struggling for a long time, and I think we need someone
to help us with situations like this."
"We all wanted to bat on this pitch and that is why the management and I
decided to bat, but we did not play well. The thing that I always keep stressing
- building partnerships - we did not build any partnerships and this is what was
missing."
Afridi added: "The series victory is important for us. We are not playing any
cricket at home, so winning this series is very important and will keep the
morale high, and I think for the future it will be good for us."
Hafeez and Umar Akmal were the only Pakistani batsman to pass 20 as Ravi
Rampaul up-ended the visitors batting with four for 45 from his allotted 10
overs.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy grabbed three for 30 from 10 overs, and
Dwayne Bravo supported with two for 16.
"It is a good feeling to have won again, but it's been well-played in the
last two games for the boys," said Sammy.
"We played as a team, and got the result that we wanted. This was the type of
performance for which we have been searching for a very long time. It showed the
good work that we have been doing at practices has finally transferred to the
game, and it was good to see everybody taking part, and it was a total team
effort."
He added: "The way we have chased down totals in the last two games, I guess
it may be fair to say that our guys are more comfortable doing this. But
throughout the series, we created several opportunities to win it, but we did
not put enough runs on the board."
They now play two Tests, starting next Thursday at this same ground, and from
May 20 to 24 at Warner Park in St. Kitts. AFP
