Simmons gets 51 as Windies reach 171

Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Lendl Simmons hit the top score of 51 and Darren Bravo supported with 47, but West Indies had another batting letdown against Pakistan in the rain-affected third Digicel One-Day International on Thursday at Kensington Oval.

Simmons and Bravo put on 86 for the second wicket, but West Indies failed to kick-on, and were dismissed for 171 with eight balls of their weather-reduced allocation of 45 overs remaining, after they were sent in to bat.

Simmons and Bravo played an array of strokes in their stand, much to the delight of a colourful and vocal holiday crowd celebrating Barbados’ National Heroes Day, including West Indies legend Garfield Sobers.

Simmons glanced a delivery from Junaid Khan to deep fine leg for his first boundary, and Bravo drove Mohammad Hafeez off the back-foot through cover for his first four.

They continued to plunder the runs, and blanked Pakistan’s spin bowling threat until Simmons gave a return catch to Saeed Ajmal in the 21st over, and Mohammad Hafeez trapped Bravo leg-before in the 28th over.

After this, no other West Indies batsman reached 20, as Ajmal collected 3-29 runs from 8.4 overs, Wahab Riaz snared 3-38 from eight overs, and Hafeez 2-31 from nine overs.

Pakistan are playing an unchanged 11, but West Indies made two changes, bringing fast bowlers Andre Russell and Ravi Rampaul back into their line-up in place of leg-spinner Anthony Martin and wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh.

Play started an hour and 45 minutes later than scheduled, after overnight and early morning rain delayed the start.