Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi complimented his bowlers for limiting the West Indies total but blamed the loss on the batsmen in their inaugural Twenty20 international here on Thursday.
Umar Akmal topscored with a run-a-ball 41 but West Indies were in control throughout before a feisty, unbeaten 21 from Saeed Ajmal gave Pakistan late hope as they were restricted to 143 for nine in their 20 overs, chasing 151 for victory at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
“I think the pitch was good for batsmen, and I don’t know why we missed this opportunity to win this match,” said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.
“We are not building any partnerships. This is what has been missing for us for a few months. Bishoo bowled really well, and all of their bowlers delivered in the right areas.”
Pakistan’s reply started badly when they lost both openers inside the first four overs and the visitors’ batting was undermined chiefly by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, whose four wickets for 17 runs from his allotted four overs earned him the man-of-the-match award.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy was thrilled by the victory in front of his fellow St. Lucians.
“We wanted to start off on a winning note. It shows the preparation we have been putting in at the camp in Barbados and here in St Lucia,” Sammy said. “The guys went out there and played as a team and we came out victorious.
“That was a good start for us and we’re just looking to improve coming into the one-day series.”
The opening One-day International of the five-match series between the teams is at the same venue on Saturday.
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