West Indies make statement against Pakistan

Andre Russell and Jason Holder celebrate Imad Wasim's wicket.

West Indies romped to a 7 wicket win at Trent Bridge after winning the toss and asking Pakistan to bat first, the West Indies under fancied bowling attack made light work of the Pakistan side. The wickets came thick and fast, starting from Imam-ul-Haq’s in the third over of the innings and ending with Wahab Riaz’ just 19 overs later. Pakistan were dismissed for just 105, the 13th lowest total ever recorded at a World Cup. The performance from Pakistan was not what the ICC or broadcasters would want to see after the decision to cull the sides from 14 to just 10 to remove the one-sided results from the group stage, with many former players and commentators making it known that sides like Ireland, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands all would have made more of a fight of it. Pakistan went into the match as favourites by most, apart from the Nightwatchman of course, but it took only 18 balls before Shai Hope combined with opening bowler Sheldon Cottrell before an inspired spell of bowling from Andre Russell first striking opener Zaman on the grill and the ball fell onto his stumps. That wicket not only set the tone for the match, but clued in the rest of the West Indian bowlers on how to attack the batsmen. Harris Sohail become Russell's second wicket, finishing with figures of 2 for 4 off 3, before Oshane Thomas (4/27) and Jason Holder (3/42) combined to make light work of a dismal Pakistan, who at times looked scared of the short ball. As predicted in our preview, Mohammad Amir was Pakistans only hope, who finished with three wickets, but it was not going to be enough to worry the West Indians. The evergreen Chris Gayle launched 50 off just 34 balls, including six-fours and three-sixes, while Nicholas Pooran, in just his 3rd ODI, saw the Carribeans over the line with a 19 ball 34. The only concern for the West Indies is Chris Gayle grabbing at his lower back towards the back end of his innings before gingerly walking off after being dismissed. Hopefully it is just a sign of his advanced years as many are hoping to watch the Universe Boss in action.

THE STAR

Oshane Thomas celebrates one of his four wickets against Pakistan

Oshane Thomas - a name seldom heard in cricket before the World Cup. Selected over the much more fancied Kemar Roach, Thomas is a bowler who now will be hard to leave out of any of the remaining matches in this tournament. Albeit, first given the ball when Pakistan had already lost three wickets, Thomas made an immediate impact in this years World Cup, picking up 3 wickets in just 12 balls to decimate Pakistan.

THE MOMENT

Andre Russell celebrates the wicket of Fakhar Zaman

Andre Russell's dismissal of Fakhar Zaman was a ball that set the tone for the entire match. It was a ball simply too quick for Fakhar Zaman, who tried to pull it, missing and the ball crushing into his grill, before falling onto the stumps. Russell only bowled three overs but emerged as an unexpected threat for the remaining group matches for the West Indies. THE FAILURE

Big things are expected from Babar Azam who failed to deliver in the opening match for Pakistan

World class players show up when their team needs them, they show up in big moments and they make the opposition pay for their mistakes. Babar Azam failed to do all three in Pakistan's opener. Despite top scoring with 22, he was dropped on 13 and failed to capitalise. It was a bitterly disappointing display from Pakistan, but expect Babar to come back in the upcoming matches. WHAT NEXT – On Monday Pakistan face the raging favourites England in what could be another heavy defeat for them, whilst the West Indies take on Australia next Thursday in what could be one of the matches of the tournament

TOMORROW – The first double header see's Australia take on Afghanistan at Bristol, whilst New Zealand take on Sri Lanka from Sophia Gardens.