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Pakistan stumble past West Indies in opener

  • Story Highlights
  • Pakistan beat West Indies by five wickets in their Champions Trophy opener
  • Gavin Tonge takes four wickets as Pakistan struggle to opening victory
  • Nikita Miller scores half century in West Indies paltry total of 133
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(CNN) -- Pakistan stumbled to a five-wicket win over West Indies in their Champions Trophy opener at the Wanderers on Wednesday night.

Afridi and Akmal embrace after seeing Pakistan home by five wickets.

Afridi and Akmal embrace after seeing Pakistan home by five wickets.

They skittled an understrength West Indies side for just 133 inside 35 overs, but were given a fright before completing their victory in 31 overs.

Pakistan made heavy weather of chasing the low total and both their openers fell cheaply as Imran Nazir was bowled by Gavin Tonge, who had Kamran Akmal caught behind by wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton off a short-pitched rising delivery at 21-2.

Mohammad Yousuf was put down at second slip by Darren Sammy off the impressive Tonge as Pakistan made slow progress.

But the inspired Tonge had Shoaib Malik caught behind again for 23 and finally dismissed Yousuf for the same score.

The ball appeared to come off his pad down the leg side, but it was reward for Tonge's persistence as he reduced Pakistan to 61-4 and in danger of losing.

Misbag-ul-Haq was caught behind for 6 off David Bernard for a fifth victim, but Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, with an unbeaten 17, joined Umar Akmal (41 not out) to lead them to victory.

Earlier, West Indies came unstuck on a lively pitch afater captain Floyd Reifer opted to bat in the 50 overs match in Group of the competition which brings together all the leading cricket nations in the world.

Left-arm paceman Mohammed Aarmer led the attack with three wickets and Umar Gull came on first change to also claim three victims.

Spin bowler Saeed Ajmal took two further wickets until West Indies lower order batsman Nikita Miller hit his maiden international half century and was last out for 57 to rescue his side from total collapse.

Only two other teammates reached double figures, Devon Smith (18) and Darren Sammy (25).

On Thursday, South Africa play New Zealand, desperate to achieve a first win aver their heavy defeat to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener.

The the West Indies next face Australia, while India's first game is against Pakistan, both on Saturday.

The tournament was supposed to be held in Pakistan last year, but several teams refused to travel there due to security reasons following terrorist attacks, so the tournament was subsequently awarded to South Africa.

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