Akmal's last over heroics sink West Indies

Kamran Akmal hit two sixes in paceman Jerome Taylor's last over to help Pak beat the West Indies by four wickets in a dramatic finish to the first day-night international in Abu Dhabi.

Kamran Akmal hit two sixes in paceman Jerome Taylor's last over to help Pakistan beat the West Indies by four wickets in a dramatic finish to the first day-night international in Abu Dhabi.

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Chasing a daunting 295, Pakistan needed a tough 17 off the 50th over, but Akmal hit second and third ball for sixes to give his team an unexpected win with a nine-ball 24 not out to overshadow Chris Gayle's brilliant century yesterday.

Gayle notched a 106-ball 113 to power his team to a challenging 294-9 in their 50 overs. Paceman Lionel Baker (3-47) nearly derailed Pakistan before Akmal and Fawad Alam (26 not out) changed the script.

Akmal walked in at the fall of Shoaib Malik's wicket whose enterprising 50-ball 66 nearly ended in vain but Akmal and Alam notched 33 needed off the last three overs to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The second match will be played tomorrow.

Gayle's counterpart, Malik hit six boundaries and a six during his 50-ball knock to anchor Pakistan's run-chase.

Besides Malik, opener Khurrum Manzoor scored a 89-ball 69 (five fours) in his only second one-day international while the experienced Younus Khan made a 62-ball 56.

Manzoor and Salman Butt (24) gave Pakistan a solid start of 64 before Baker bowled Butt who played on to a short delivery. Manzoor added 78 for the second wicket with Younus before Pakistan lost two quick wickets.

Manzoor edged Jerome Taylor to wicket-keeper, while Misbahul Haq (seven) was bowled by left-armer Nikita Miller, trying to reverse-sweep a straight delivery.