Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Pakistan v West Indies in UAE, 2016 Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Date & Time: Sep 30, 03:00 PM LOCAL

The significance of the three-match One-Day International series between Pakistan and West Indies can be encapsulated by the fact that both nations will be aiming to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2019 50-over World Cup, with a series victory.

It has to be noted that only the top-eight ranked teams are ensured of a direct qualification for the World Cup and and as of now, West Indies and Pakistan are ranked 8th and 9th, respectively. For the home side to move up the ladder, they need to win the series 3-0.

Pakistan, who put up sub-par performances in England to lose the series 4-1, will aim to start afresh. Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed need to make an impact with the bat for the hosts to notch up tall scores. Akmal, in particular, is on a comeback trail and has to raise the stakes in order to cement his place in the side.

In the bowling department, Imad Wasim, with his nagging control, might turn out to be Pakistan's key weapon on a slow Sharjah track. Mohammad Amir, who had a rather quiet tour of UK, will try to regain form. Pakistan will also be pleased with the fact that they won the three-match Twenty20 International series against West Indies 3-0.

On the other hand, West Indies will hope for Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels to make substantial contributions. Evin Lewis, the explosive opener, is set to don his first ODI cap. If West Indies' top-order lays a solid platform, the likes of Kieron Pollard and Carlos Brathwaite have the ability to land in the big hits in the slog overs. On the bowling front, Sunil Narine will look to continue the good form that he showed back home in the tri-series, featuring West Indies, Australia and South Africa.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kraigg Brathwaite, who has already played 31 Tests for West Indies, will make his ODI debut while Riaz comes in for Gul for the home side. Incidentally, both Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal are warming the bench.

"The pitch being used at Sharjah is not a usual one," reckons Bazid Khan. "There will be something in it for the spinners and the wicket looks slow. We can expect the spinners to do most of the damage."

Teams:

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin(w), Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder(c), Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Narine, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel

Pakistan (Playing XI): Azhar Ali(c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali

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Thankfully, the lights are back on. The match has been reduced to 49 overs a side. The break has been reduced to 10 minutes.

Despite Carlos Brathwaite snaring wickets at regular intervals in the slog overs, Pakistan ended up with a sizeable total. As per the DLS method, West Indies will have to chase down a target of 287. It is going to be a tall order for the visitors as the track is on the slower side and the hosts have some handy spinners in their ranks.

West Indies are off to a steady start in the chase. While Johnson Charles took on the mantle of attacking the bowlers, Kraigg Brathwaite has been extremely slow.

Amir then made the initial breakthrough by inducing an outside edge off Charles' bat to send him back to the pavilion. The right-handed batsman was getting beaten outside the off-stump. Hence, Amir decided to bowl from around the wicket and succeeded in eliciting the outside edge. Nice piece of bowling that from the Pakistani spearhead.

The freefall continued for West Indies as Kraigg Brathwaite tried to ease a short of a length delivery to third man, but could only edge it behind the stumps. Sarfraz snared a fine diving catch. The opener paid the price for playing with an angled bat. On the other hand, Hasan's zestful spell has been duly rewarded.

The tourists found themselves in further trouble when Darren Bravo attempted a cut shot and could only hear the death rattle. It was a well-disguised slider bowled by Nawaz.

Despite Marlon Samuels playing a fluent innings, Pakistan struck at regular intervals to find themselves on top. Mohammad Nawaz ran through the middle-order and bagged three wickets.

Carlos Brathwaite, known for his big-hitting, smacked Mohammad Amir for a couple of sixes. The sturdy allrounder can pack a punch. However, Nawaz took his fourth wicket by castling Brathwaite with the one that turned considerably after pitching.

Pakistan yet again bestrode the visitors by putting up a commanding performance and registered a comfortable 111-run victory. Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali shared seven spoils between them. Nawaz, in particular, impressed with his clever flight and well-disguised sliders. Only Marlon Samuels offered some resistance by essaying some sweetly timed shots. Earlier, Babar Azam showed his class and quality to crack his maiden ODI ton. The second ODI of the series will take place in Sharjah on October 2.