Pakistan splutter to low three digit score in World Cup opener
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Andre Russell of West Indies celebrates as he gets Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan out during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between West Indies and Pakistan at Trent Bridge on May 31, 2019 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The West Indies were quick off the mark to announce their 2019 World Cup campaign taking only 22 overs to bowl Pakistan out for 105 at Trent Bridge.
Wickets for bowlers Cottrell, Russell, Holder and Thomas proved
vital for the Windies who were missing key bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar
Roach, both ruled out through injury.
Losing the toss early on, Pakistan found themselves three
down inside ten overs as Sheldon Cottrell (4-0-18-1) and Russell (3-1-4-2) punished
the Pakistani batsmen with bouncers and paced deliveries.
Captain Jason Holder (5-0-42-3) entered the attack and
despite being the most expensive of bowlers made an immediate impact with the
ball taking two wickets in an over.
His wicket of Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (8) came after a review but quickly set the scene for a Pakistan collapse.
Only a late burst from No.10 Wahab Riaz (18) helped the ailing
side to over three digits after Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam top-scored with 22
runs.
However his innings was brought to a quick end when he was caught by Cottrell off the bowling of Oshane Thomas (5.4-0-27-4) despite scoring 17 runs in a single over by Holder in the previous over.
JOTI KAUR