By S.Pervez Qaiser - Mohammed Hafiz and Asad Shafiq set up a new record for the highest stand for Pakistan against West Indies in West Indies by adding 153 runs during their second wicket partnership in the fourth match of the five-match series at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Monday (May 2).
The two batsmen surpassed the previous best stand of 134 runs between Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq in the first match of the series at Gros Islet on April 23. It was the fourth best stand for Pakistan against West Indies in limited overs international cricket after the 172-run stand between Basit Ali and Saleem Malik at Sharjah on November 5, 1993, the 166-run stand between Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan at The Oval on June 20, 1979 and the unbeaten 164-run stand between Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar at Lahore on November 4, 1979.
Mohammed Hafeez recorded the highest ever score for Pakistan against West Indies in West Indies by making 121 off 138 balls, with seven fours and three sixes. Ahmed Shehzad, who made 102 off 148 balls in the second match of the series at Gros Islet on April 25, held the previous record.
Hafeez also became the 10th Pakistani batsman to score a century against West Indies. Saeed Anwar, Mohammed Yousuf and Rameez Raja scored two centuries each while Javed Miandad, Basit Ali, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Ahmed Shehzad and Younis Khan made one century each.
Hafeez’s 121 was also his highest score in limited overs international cricket. His previous best was 115 off 144 balls against New Zealand at Christchurch on January 29, 2011.
West Indies’ one-run victory (D/L method) was their smallest in terms of runs against Pakistan in limited overs international cricket. West Indies’ previous smallest victory in terms of runs against Pakistan was by four runs at Adelaide on December 12, 1992.
Mohammed Hafeez received his sixth man of the match award in 76 matches. It was his third such award in 12 matches against the West Indies.
