Sport

Windies in final

Southampton, England (AP):

THE WEST INDIES beat Pakistan by seven wickets yesterday to set up a Champions Trophy final showdown against host England.

The West Indies reached the target of 132 runs for the loss of three wickets in 28.1 overs in overcast, blustery conditions at the Rose Bowl. Ramnaresh Sarwan scored an unbeaten 56.

Captain Brian Lara retired injured on 31 when he was struck on the back of the neck by a delivery from Shoaib Akhtar. He is expected to play in Saturday's final at the Oval against England, which defeated Australia in the other semi-final Tuesday at Edgbaston.

"I thought we played pretty well," Sarwan said. "In recent times we have played well and hopefully we can continue the same form. I would love to continue this form going into final and into next year.

Surprising decision

"We haven't won anything in quite a long time so it is a great opportunity for us to win."

Wavell Hinds took 2-27, including the prize wicket of Inzamam-ul-Haq, as the West Indies restricted Pakistan to 131 runs from 38.2 overs. Captain Inzamam won the toss and surprisingly decided to bat on the unfriendly Rose Bowl wicket.

"Having taken into consideration the way the surface has been playing for the past couple of weeks, we were very much surprised," Sarwan said. "I thought it played right into our hands."

Akhtar was the best Pakistan bowler with 2-18, taking the West Indies' first two wickets. He trapped Chris Gayle lbw for one, then caught and bowled Wavell Hinds for five to leave the Windies at 2-20.

Lara then joined Sarwan at the crease to steady the innings.

The two created a 56-run partnership to push the West Indies to 72-2 when Lara was hit on the head by Akhtar's sharp bouncer in the 15th over and immediately fell to the ground.

Lara walked off the field unaided after treatment but retired for the day.

"Lara is one of my favourite batsmen," Akhtar said. "I am sorry to have hit him but it was honest bowling. It was the first time I have bowled at him in eight years. I have played four series but not had the chance to bowl at him."

Sarwan said Lara went off because "he was feeling a bit dizzy and that's why he went off. He'll be fine for Saturday."

Atrocious start

Shivnarine Chanderpaul took over and, with Sarwan, cautiously combined to push the West Indies past 100. Chanderpaul fell for 11 runs, while Sarwan hit a four to reach his 50 and hit a single for the winning run.

Pakistan never recovered from their atrocious start.

It was a wicket down after the third ball of the day, with Butt, a 19-year-old making his one-day debut, caught at second slip by Sarwan off the bowling of Ian Bradshaw for zero.

His fellow opener Yasir Hameed reached 39 before he was run out as Pakistan struggled to develop any strong partnerships.

Shoaib Malik was then next to fall for 17 after he edged Dwayne Bravo to wicket keeper Courtney Browne. That left Pakistan 71-3 after 21 overs. They'd moved to 84 by the halfway mark.

Star batsman Inzamam helped push the total past 100 before his partner Yousuf Youhana was out for 12. Hinds then took the important wickets of Inzamam (21) and Moin Khan (0) in the same over, and Naved-ul-Hasan fell in the next over for zero to leave Pakistan on 116-8.

Corey Collymore took 2-24 in cleaning up the tail end.

"I think if we had made 200-plus it would have been difficult to chase on that wicket but they bowled really well," Inzamam said. "It is a shame. We have been playing good cricket but some of the batsmen did not take responsibility.

"Our bowlers have done really well in past games but 131 was a very difficult total to contain."

The Rose Bowl was half-full, with the mainly pro-Pakistan crowd waving flags and blowing horns throughout the match.