By Avenash Ramzan
Pakistan recorded the highest total in ODI cricket at Providence, breaking a 10-year-old record on the newly re-laid track. After West Indies captain Jason Holder called correctly at the toss and elected to field, Pakistan batsmen proceeded to pile on the runs, scoring 308-5, surpassing Sri Lanka’s total of 303-5 against West Indies in the 2007 World Cup.
Pakistan’s total is the only the second beyond the 300-mark at the venue. The tourists were given a brisk start of 85 in 15 overs by opener Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal, who took full advantage of the newly re-load track, which proved conducive for stroke-play. Akmal was the aggressor, blasting five fours and three sixes in 47 off 48 balls.
Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez then added 64 for the second wicket, before Shehzad was bowled by Ashley Nurse for 67 (83 balls; 6x4s) at 149-2 in the 28th over.
Regular number three Babar Azam, batting at number four for the first time, was dismissed by Nurse for 13 at 177-3 in the 36th over, before Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s two most experienced batsmen with a combined 428 ODI games and over 12,000 runs, proceeded to dictate terms for the remainder of the innings.
They added 89 in 10 overs. Hafeez justified the decision to bat at three, cracking 88 off 92 (6x4s, 3x6s), while Malik was sublime in a stroke-filled 53 off 38 balls (6x4s, 2x6s). Skipper Safraz Ahmed chipped in with 20 off 13 balls. while Nurse was the most successful bowler with 4-62.
