SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, (Reuters):
PAKISTAN, lifted by Shoaib Malik's unbeaten century and a late hat-trick from paceman Mohammed Sami, clinched a one-day series against West Indies with a 51-run victory yesterday.
Malik top scored with 111 not out, his maiden century at one-day level, as Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in 49 overs.
Sami then took four for 44 to dismiss West Indies for just 181 in 34.4 overs in the second match of three between the sides.
West Indies wasted a positive start and, after opener Chris Gayle's brisk 62 helped them reach 101 for one in just 14 overs, the rest of the innings fell away alarmingly.
Captain Carl Hooper (29) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (22) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures and the last five wickets crashed for three runs in 10 deliveries.
Sami wrapped up the West Indies innings in style, removing Ridley Jacobs (1), Corey Collymore (0) and Cameron Cuffy (0) in successive balls.
His hat-trick was the sixth achieved by a Pakistan bowler in one-day-internationals, after Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Jalaluddin and Aaqib Javed and Saqlain Mushtaq.
Man-of-the-match Malik and Sami had both been brought into the Pakistan side for the game while all-rounder Wasim Akram and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq were rested.
"We wanted to give the youngsters a chance and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands," Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis said.
Gayle threatened to turn the game on its head with three sixes in a belligerent 62 off 46 balls, but he lacked batting support and his departure in the 14th over effectively triggered the West Indies collapse.
Earlier Malik, pushed up the order as a pinch-hitter, tore apart the West Indies attack after Pakistan were stuttering at 51 for four in the 17th over.
Malik added 73 runs in a fifth-wicket stand with Naveed Latif and then prospered in a 62-run partnership with all-rounder Abdur Razzaq for the sixth wicket.
Pakistan lost their way early on when opener Inzamam-ul-Haq failed once again, caught by Gayle off Cuffy for three in the second over with just seven runs on the board.
Shahid Afridi (four), Younis Khan (18) and Yousuf Youhana (one) further compounded Pakistan woes before Malik and Naveed steadied the faltering innings.
Naveed made 45 off 70 balls with five fours and one six, off Hooper.
Razzaq chipped in with a quickfire 30 off 26 balls, which included two sixes, while Malik's knock included nine fours and one six.
