Guyana: West Indies displayed a remarkable fight back as they chased the highest total ever chased by them in the 1st ODI against Pakistan on Friday, thanks to Jason Mohammad’s innings of his life . West Indies clawed their way back into the contest they didn’t even seem to be a part of for 35 overs of the chase.
Pakistan, batting first, put up a good total of 308 for 5, that included Hafeez’s 88 runs off 92 balls , Shoaib Malik’s blistering 53 off 38 deliveries. Kamran Akmal also proved handy and made 47 runs off 48 balls to provide solid foundation to build on along with Ahmad Shazad who made 67 runs as well.
West Indies started off well but soon suffered the wicket of opener Chadwik Walton. Kieran Powell and Evin Lewis worked well towards recovery of their side and made 61 and 47 respectively. But still after 37 over, they needed 128 from 13 overs . Thats when Jason Mohammed suddenly exploded into life, treating Pakistan’s vaunted fast-bowling attack with disdain, as Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali were all on the receiving end of hammerings in the slog overs.
When Pakistan realised there was life yet in the contest, Jason Mohammed was one step ahead of everything the bowlers, and an increasingly panic-stricken Sarfraz Ahmed, could throw at him. Ashley Nurse gave Jason Mohammed adequate support towards the end as Pakistan’s advantage vanished before their disbelieving eyes. Before the small Guyana crowd could pinch themselves, their side had beaten Pakistan into submission and romped to their highest successful ODI chase.
He began by hitting boundaries while looking like he just wanted to have a bit of fun. Pakistan appeared to be taken in for a while, going through the motions, letting the game stroll through to its inevitable conclusion. But then they suddenly looked up: 82 to win off nine overs with six wickets in hand. Nothing about that looked impossible, especially not with Jason Mohammad smelling blood.
