Pakistan collapse after Hafeez hits fifty

PROVIDENCE, Guyana: Another fluent half-century from Mohammad Hafeez failed to inspire Pakistan and their batting crumbled for the first time in the series against West Indies in the fifth one-day international on Thursday.

Hafeez struck six boundaries to lead the way with 55 from 83 balls, and Umar Akmal scored 24.

But no other Pakistani batsman reached 20, as the visitors were dismissed for 139 in 41.2 overs after they chose to bat on an unpredictable Guyana National Stadium pitch.

Pakistan's bowlers had six overs before the interval, and caused a few heart-stopping moments for West Indies openers Lendl Simmons and Kirk Edwards, as they guided the hosts to 34 without loss.

Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi, bowling his leg-spin, was left fuming, when Simmons gained the benefit of the doubt for an lbw appeal from Jamaican umpire Norman Malcolm on eight, and then wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman failed to hold a difficult chance, when Edwards - on six - under-edged a cut.

Pakistan's batting was undermined by the three West Indies seam bowlers.

Ravi Rampaul was the pick, with four for 45 from 10 overs, his captain Darren Sammy grabbed three for 30 from 10 overs, and Dwayne Bravo supported with two for 16.

The Pakistanis were set back early, when Taufeeq Umar, playing for the first time in the series, was caught behind off Rampaul for three in the fifth over.

Ahmed Shehzad came to the crease and stabilised the innings with a stand of 32 for the second wicket - the best of the innings - with Hafeez before Sammy bowled him for nine in the 15th over.

The visitors continued to struggle, when they slumped to 93 for five, with Usman Salahuddin lbw to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for eight in the 22nd over, Misbah-ul-Haq lbw to Sammy for one in the 23rd over, and Hafeez bowled by Sammy in the 29th.

The presence of Umar Akmal and Afridi at the crease promised much, but they delivered little, as Rampaul snared them both, as the Pakistanis lost their last five wickets for 31 runs in 63 deliveries.

Pakistan made three changes, with Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, and Wahab Riaz replacing Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azam, and Tanvir Ahmed, while West Indies chose leg-spinner Anthony Martin ahead fast bowler Kemar Roach.