WI lose warm up fixture ahead of world cup defence

WEST INDIES woes leading up to the International Cricket Council’ s T/20 World Cup continued when yesterday, they lost to Pakistan by seven wickets in an official warm-up fixture at ICC Academy in Dubai.

The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat. They however only managed to register 130 for 7 from their 20 overs. Shimron Hetmyer hit 3 fours in his 24-ball knock of 28, while captain Kieron Pollard hit 23 off 10 balls, which included five boundaries in the final over off Haris Rauf.

The West Indies’ batting was stifled by the spin operation of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan, who conceded just 13 runs off their five combined overs.

In reply, Babar Azam stroked a composed 50 at the top of the order. Then Fakhar Zaman struck 46 from 24 balls, as Pakistan responded with 131 for 3, winning with 27 balls to spare.

Hayden Walsh Jr. took 2 for 41 and Ravi Rampaul had 1 for 19, putting on the West Indies shirt for the first time since November 2015.

West Indies next warm-up fixture is tomorrow, Wednesday, against Afghanistan (10 am ECT/9 am Jamaica time).

The defending champions open their campaign on Saturday versus England, in a repeat of the 2016 final.