Misbah leads Pakistan to series win

Misbah-ul-Haq provided the steadying presence to ensure Pakistan wrapped up their one-day international series against West Indies in a rain-reduced match in Barbados.

The veteran right-hander applied patience above all else in a match-winning innings of 62 from 109 balls to edge his side past a modest target of 171 with three wickets in hand.

Misbah had been thrust into action in just the second over with Ravi Rampaul on a hat-trick, as Pakistan crashed to 12 for three early on.

But after seeing off the early threat of Rampaul (four for 32) Misbah dug in alongside Umar Akmal (30) and Hammad Azam (36) to guide his side into an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

Misbah's innings brought into focus a feeble batting display from West Indies after they lost their last nine wickets for 79 runs and failed even to bat out their revised allocation of 45 overs.

Lendl Simmons (51) and Darren Bravo (47) had seemingly set a platform in an 86-run stand for the second wicket, but their good work was completely undone as some insipid strokeplay prompted their capitulation.

Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal were the pick of the Pakistani bowlers with three wickets apiece.

Pakistan looked vulnerable early on when Rampaul removed Ahmed Shehzad and Asad Shafiq for first-ball ducks with his first two deliveries, and when Mohammad Hafeez followed in his next over the hosts took the upper hand for the first time in the series.

Umar Akmal blasted 30 from 27 balls before Rampaul had him caught by wicketkeeper Simmons but Misbah's temperament was unwavering and, with Azam, he broke the back of the chase in a 78-run stand.

Devendra Bishoo provided another late scare when he claimed three quick wickets, but Misbah was unmoved and with some nerveless hitting from Riaz (17 from 16) saw his side home with 29 balls to spare.