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Misbah-ul-Haq’s unbeaten knock of 62 runs helped Pakistan in winning 3rd ODI which eventually turned into series victory for Pakistan. Pakistan beat West Indies by 3 wickets in 3rd ODI at Bridgetown, Pakistan chased the target of 172 in 41st over of the match. Due to rain match was reduced to 45 overs per innings.

Misbah-ul-Haq was main architect of Pakistan’s 3 wickets victory over West Indies. He joined the batting line amidst tough conditions. In his typical way, he was sedate and lacked charm but he built the innings with singles, doubles and occasional boundaries. He anticipated the situations throughout the innings. Misbah’s unbeaten 62 did an anchor to a storm hit yacht. He hit 4 fours and 1 six in his 62 of 109 balls which also earned him a man of the match award. He is yet to get out in this series, in all 3 ODIs he remained unbeaten.

Pakistan lost Ahmad Shahzad and Asad Shafiq, both out on duck (0), in 2nd over of the innings. Misbah joined when Pakistan were 9-2, things got more miserable for Pakistan when Hafeez was out in 4th over after scoring 5. In pursuit of 172, Pakistan had lost 3 early wickets for just 12 runs.

With 12-3 on board, Umar Akmal joined Misbah-ul-Haq in middle. Misbah in his typical fashion started with defense, rotated the strike and let Umar Akmal to play some shots. Umar Akmal was risky in some shots but managed to score 30 of 27 balls with the help of 5 fours. Misbah and Umar had partnership of 37 where majority of runs were scored by Umar Akmal.

Pakistan top order failed to survive extra bounce offered by pitch. Ravi Rampaul, who was playing his first match of series, took first four wickets. West Indies fast bowlers kept testing Pakistan batsmen with short deliveries. Hafeez, Shahzad and Umar Akmal got out on short balls.

As Pakistan were 49-4, Hammad Azam came in middle to support Misbah. It was maiden innings of Hammad Azad in ODIs though he was playing his 3rd ODI. Both, Misbah and Hammad, played with solemnity and defensive approach, they didn’t take risks instead they waited for poor deliveries to hit boundaries. Hammad Azam was phenomenal in his first career innings, he showed the signs to prosper for Pakistan in future. Hammad and Mibah had partnership of 78 runs which turned out to be difference between two teams. Hammad got out on 36, lbw by Bishoo, though replays showed that it was wrong decision by Umpire, Asoka De Silva, as ball had edged the bat.

Captain Shahid Afridi once again failed to take responsibility as a batsman. He was out in course of playing a careless shot after hitting 2 fours and left all the burden on Misbah. Wicketkeeper batsman, Mohammad Salman, also couldn’t convince anyone with his batting, he badly struggled against spin of Bishoo and was eventually bowled out by Bishoo’s flipper.

Pakistan needed 24 runs to win and West Indies needed 3 wickets to win, at that stage match became bit fascinating but Misbah’s anchoring role throughout the innings avoid Pakistan from losing. Misbah stayed with Wahab Riaz till end. Wahab Riaz scored unbeaten 17 runs of 16 balls with 2 sixes, including a six as winning shot.

Pakistan’s 7 wickets were shared by Rampaul (4) and Bishoo(3). Bishoo now has 7 wickets in this series.

Earlier West Indies scored 171 all out in 43.4 overs. West Indian batsmen, once again, failed to capitalize Pakistan bowlers, spinners in particular. Except Lendl Simmons(51) and Darrn Bravo(47), no one could give a real threat to Pakistan bowlers. West Indian wickets kept falling on regular intervals. Saeed Ajmal(8.4-0-29-3) was once again pick of the  bowlers from Pakistan. Wahab Riaz(8-1-38-3) and Mohammad Hafeez(9-0-31-2) also did well with ball. Junaid Khan got his first ODI wicket when he bowled out Marlon Samuels.

Match was started late due to rain and it was reduced to 45 overs per side. Pakistan won the toss and asked West Indies to bat first.

Pakistan’s victories in first 3 ODIs mean rest of the series will be a dead-rubber though clean sweep will earn Pakistan more confidence and will help them to avoid losing Ratings in ICC’s Rankings. It was Pakistan’s 2nd consecutive bilateral ODI series win as they also beat New Zealand in start of the year.

4th ODI of this series will be played on Monday(2nd May 2011) at same venue i.e Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.