Akram bowls Pakistan to victory over Select XI

St John's (Antigua), April 10: Pakistan avenged their defeat of Saturday against the West Indies Select XI by gaining a marginal 14-run victory over the home team at the Antigua Recreation Ground here on Sunday.

Like the Pakistan team in the first match, the West Indies Select XI also collapsed in a similar fashion while chasing 184 to win in 50 overs.

Mohammad Akram, who took three for 27 in the first match, was once again in good form as he picked four for 28 as the Select XI were bowled out for 169 in the 40th over. Pakistan in their innings had made 183 for nine after winning the toss.

The Select XI from 135 for four had plummeted to 137 for seven after Ramnaresh Sarwan and Runako Morton seemed to have taken the grip on the game with a stand of 70 for the fifth wicket. The two had taken their innings from 65 for four to 135.

After Morton was leg before for 25 to Mohammad Akram with the first ball of his second spell, their innings slid quickly.

Junior Murray lofted Shoaib Malik to be caught at long-on by Imran Nazir and Nehemiah Perry was stumped by Mohammad Wasim who had taken over after Atiq-uz-Zaman was taken to hospital with strained hip ligament in an attempt to catch opener Wilden Cornwall.

Pakistan had lost three wickets for 60 before Wasim and Yousuf Youhana, who scored 29, salvaged the innings. Pakistan lost five wickets for 46 before Shoaib Malik made an unbeaten 22 to enhance the score.