CRICKET:At last it has started. After the functions, the speeches, the sniping, the drug rumours, the tales of local incompetence, finally the players are on the pitch, the stands are full(ish) and the Cricket World Cup is on its way. And it got the game this whole region needed. Laid back Jamaicans? Think again.
While the Ireland team spent yesterday morning practising for their opening game, against Zimbabwe on Thursday, they will do well to watch the tape of this match between the group's big dogs at Sabina Park in the Jamaican capital, Kingston.
Set against a backdrop of the ocean and rising out of the grim inner-city tenements of Kingston, Sabina Park is one of the most exotic sporting arenas to be found anywhere. With a winning team to cheer it is also one of the more intimidating.
Perhaps it was the presence at the game of the ghosts of the past, but West Indies came out to play.
With play starting at 9.30am, there was barely time to cram in another presentation ceremony. But that didn't stop them. Out on the pitch, Clive Lloyd's World Cup-winning teams of 1975 and 1979 took a bow. Lloyd swaggered off with the trophy, followed by such luminaries as Viv Richards, Larry Gomes and Michael Holding from the golden era of cricket in these parts. It may be a while before a West Indian holds the trophy again, but after this game nearly 30,000 Jamaicans went home dreaming.
Ireland's captain Trent Johnston will have noted the speed at which Pakistan inserted the opposition on winning the toss. Half past nine is very early to start a match, and on an untried pitch, there is promise of help to the seamers in the first hour.
The justification for the decision came early when Chris Gayle could only fend at a beauty from the menacing Umar Gul, who finished with 2 for 38 from 9 overs.
Ramnaresh Sarwan batted like he had an appointment in town. His first ball was a flat footed slash, put down by Younis Khan at second slip, followed by an over of extravagant air shots. But then the timing came and Sarwan progressed to 49 in even time before becoming the second of Rao Iftikhar's three wickets.
The major partnership of the innings followed between captain Lara, batting at five, and Marlon Samuels. Samuels took the honours with prodigious hitting, including three sixes.
Once these two were parted, the tail wagged impressively turning an average effort into something more imposing.
Resuming after the break, the Pakistan batsmen were rocked by a pace assault reminiscent of a previous vintage. Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell combined pace with some away movement.
Pakistan's strength lies in the middle of the order. Muhammed Yousuf and skipper Inzy average around 40 in this form of cricket. Their partnership of 60 in just over 18 overs threatened to bring Pakistan back in to the game. The crowd certainly thought so; the roar that greeted Yousef's dismissal was as much relief as joy.
With their anchor gone, the run rate crept up and up, through six an over then seven. All the while Inzy was cajoling his team. But then he was gone lbw, followed next ball by Kamran Akmal to a brilliant diving catch by Dwayne Bravo at point.
Chasing 100 off the final 10 overs is possible in these run-crazy days, but without wickets in hand, Pakistan were always off the pace. Dwayne Bravo took another brilliant catch to remove Iftikhar. Cue the horn section.
The noise was deafening, the excitement unrestrained. The hosts have made a statement. Ireland beware.
Scoreboard
WEST INDIES
C Gaylec Kamran Akmal b Umar Gul 2
S Chanderpaulc K Akmal b Rao Iftikhar 19
R Sarwanc Younis Khan b Rao Iftikhar 49
M Samuelsc Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Hafeez 63
B Larac Kamran Akmal b Mohammad Hafeez 37
D Bravoc Naved-ul-Hasan b Rao Iftikhar 16
D Ramdinst Kamran Akmal b Danish Kaneria 1
D Smithc Inzamam-ul-Haq b Umar Gul 32
J Taylorrun out 2
D Powellnot out 1
C Collymorenot out 8
Extras(lb-2 nb-3 w-6) 11
Total(for nine wickets, 50 overs) 241
Fall of wickets:1-7 2-64 3-77 4-168 5-181 6-183 7-223 8-228 9-232
Bowling:Umar Gul 9-1-38-2 (1nb, 2w), Naved-ul-Hasan 9-1-49-0 (2nb), Rao Iftikhar Anjum 10-3-44-3, Danish Kaneria 9-2-45-1 (3w), Mohammad Hafeez 9-0-39-2, Shoaib Malik 4-0-24-0 6.0
PAKISTAN
Imran Nazirc Ramdin b D B Powell 6
Mohammad Hafeezc Lara b D B Powell 11
Younis Khanc Ramdin b Taylor 9
Mohammad Yousufc Ramdin b D R Smith37
Inzamam ul-Haqlbw b D R Smith 36
Shoaib Malikc Chanderpaul b Collymore62
Kamran Akmalc Bravo b D R Smith 0
Naved ul-Hasanb Bravo 11
Iftikhar Anjumc Lara b Bravo 11
Umar Gulc & b Bravo 0
Danish Kanerianot out 0
Extraslb2 w2 pens 0 4
Total(47.2 overs) 187
Fall:1-6 2-17 3-39 4-99 5-116 6-116 7-144 8-187 9-187
Bowling:D B Powell 10 1 42 2 Taylor 10 1 38 1 Collymore 8.2 3 27 1 D R Smith 10 0 36 3 Bravo 9 0 42 3
West Indies won by 54 runs
