West Indies made amends for the warm up performance against India and defeated Pakistan comprehensively by 54 runs in the opening match of the World Cup.
Pakistan sent the West Indies in after winning the toss and
the hosts made a cautious start. Chris Gayle departed early for two pouched behind the wickets by wicket keeper Akmal who had a busy day at the office! Sarwan and Chanderpaul steadied the innings with watchful shots interspersed with some scorchers!
But the run rate slowed down and it required the Samuels and Lara partnership to get them back on track .Samuels made a classy 63 from 70 balls and his knock was punctuated by 3 sixes and 5 fours! Dwayne Smith also chipped in with some lusty hitting scoring 32 runs in just 15 balls. The Windies innings ended in a classic calypso fashion with a six from Collymore on the last ball of their innings!
The Pakistani innings too got off to a flier with a six off the very first ball by Imran Nazir who gave an indication of what 
he was capable of. But then the very next ball he edged a ball to the keeper also proving what he
was capable of! Younis Khan too departed early and then it was upto the captain Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf to steer the ship. But Dwayne Smith spoiled their party as he picked up their wickets and let the ‘cat among the pigeons’!
The Pakistani team was bowled out in the 48 over with 54 runs required to win. The West Indies side used its bowlers in a better manner although Pakistan too choked the Windies while they batted with their spinners. But it all boiled down to handling the pressure and adapting to the conditions, which is where the hosts scored over Pakistan who failed to apply themselves, the classic statement to prove was the Younis Khan dismissal!
