Afridi leads Pakistan to easy win

Agence France Presse

Port-of-Spain, May 16:

A flattering all-round performance from Shahid Afridi helped Pakistan to a commanding 248-run victory in their West Indies tour opener, a limited-overs practice match against Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday.

Afridi hit a stroke-filled 104 from 46 balls that propelled Pakistan to a formidable 366/7 in 50 overs, after the visitors won the toss and chose to bat.

Afridi led a strong Pakistani batting performance, despite the dismissal of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for a duck — run out.

Yousuf Youhana warmed up for this week’s tussles against West Indies with 87, Kamran Akmal hit 56, and Younis Khan scored 53.

Afridi then returned to bowl his leg-spin darts and captured four wickets for six runs from 6.4 overs, as Antigua and Barbuda were dismissed for a modest 118 in 32.4 overs.

Antigua and Barbuda never recovered after losing two wickets early wickets for 18 runs, despite a fighting knock of 46 from all-rounder Wilden Cornwall. The three Test players in the Antigua and Barbuda side were all dismissed cheaply.

Omari Banks’ 17 was their best effort, Sylvester Joseph, and recently retired West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Ridley Jacobs, the captain, both made five.

Pakistan face the West Indies in a series of three one-day internationals and two Test matches.