Pakistan vs. West Indies: Winners and Losers from Cricket World Cup Match
The West Indies got their 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign back on track with a convincing 150-run win over Pakistan on Saturday.
A total of 310 in Christchurch was always going to be competitive and so it proved. The game was over as a contest after the Pakistan top order was blown away thanks to an opening burst from Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder which left them reeling at one for four.
Pakistan have a week to try and regroup before they face Zimbabwe on Sunday 1 March.
Zimbabwe's novices ran South Africa close in their opening match. Things could get even uglier for Misbah-ul-Haq's men.
It's Zimbabwe next for the West Indies, too. They'll go into Tuesday's clash in Canberra with renewed optimism.
Read on to see who were the big winners and losers from Saturday's game.
Winner: West Indian Pace Attack
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Unable to protect a very defendable target of 305 against Ireland, the West Indian bowlers bounced back in some style against Pakistan.
Pick of the impressive bunch was Jerome Taylor. The oft-injured 30-year-old mixed pace, movement and control to pick up three wickets in a devastating opening spell. Final figures of seven overs, one maiden, three for 17 were richly deserved.
Ably supported by Jason Holder, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy, there was no way back from Pakistan from 25 for five.
Loser: Pakistan Top Order
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Chasing more than 300 on a pitch that offered the bowlers some encouragement was always going to be a big ask. But as Ireland showed, it's not impossible.
It is if four batsmen are back in the hutch with just a solitary run on the board, though.
The Pakistani batsmen had no answer to the pace and especially bounce found by a buzzing West Indian attack.
Even the reliable Misbah-ul-Haq, who is having to put out more fires than Red Adair at the moment, succumbed meekly.
Winner: Andre Russell
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Sporting a haircut that would make Mr T proud, Andre Russell showed that he's no fool with either bat or ball.
The Jamaican smashed 42 from just 13 balls to give the West Indian innings some real momentum in the closing overs. He followed it up with an impressive spell with the ball, picking up three for 33 from his eight overs.
Throw in an impressive catch to dismiss opener Nasir Jamshed and it was a worthy man-of-the-match effort from the 26-year-old.
"He can bat, he can bowl and he can take selfies! Check out @Russell12A on the #TwitterMirror #PAKvWI https://t.co/4a1PflVZvr
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 21, 2015"
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Loser: Ageing Legends
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He may be the West Indies' most famous player, but Chris Gayle is enduring a wretched run of form.
The Jamaican has has passed 40 only once in his past nine innings and scratched around for just four from 14 balls against Pakistan.
It's a similar story for Pakistani legend Younis Khan. After opening against India, the 37-year-old dropped down a spot in Christchurch.
The result was depressingly familiar for Pakistan fans, though, as the veteran was dismissed for a duck by a rampant Jerome Taylor.
Younis' recent form is even worse than Gayle's with a top score of just 25 in his last nine visits to the middle.
Neither looks like a match winner at present.
Winner: West Indian Middle Order
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The West Indian middle order has a powerful look about it. When given a solid platform, they can tee off with spectacular results.
That was the case in Christchurch. Denesh Ramdin (51), Lendl Simmons (50), Darren Sammy (30) and Andre Russell (42) all scored at better than a run a ball.
If the batsman higher up the order can give them a decent start, there's potential for fireworks at the business end of proceedings.
"Great win today @WindiesIntl #bouncebackability #maroonFire now let keep pressing forward.
— Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) February 21, 2015"
Loser: Darren Bravo
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Poor old Darren Bravo suffered not one but two potentially serious injuries in Christchurch.
The Trinidadian was first struck on the helmet by a throw from Younis Khan while attempting a run.
After a worrying few minutes with the physio, Bravo was given the green light to carry on batting.
He did so, reaching 49 before pulling up lame while trying to sneak a quick single. Forced to retire hurt, ESPNcricinfo report that Bravo has a "low-grade tear to his left hamstring" and will likely miss the West Indies' next two matches.
Loser: Broadcasters—Still No Tight Finish
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There's been no shortage of incident and entertainment in the opening stages of the 2015 World Cup.
We've seen shock results, spectacular hitting and some fearsome pace bowling. What we haven't witnessed yet is anything remotely resembling a tight finish.
The narrowest margins of victory have been South Africa's 62-run win over Zimbabwe and New Zealand's three-wicket triumph over Scotland.
It's early days yet, but there must be a bum-nipper of a finish around the corner.
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