Pakistan sweep T20 series against West Indies

An inspired opening spell of bowling by Sohail Tanvir and consistent pressure in the field secured an 11-run win for Pakistan that gave them a 2-0 sweep of their Twenty20 International series against the West Indies at the Arnos Vale Playing Field here.

Chasing 136 for victory, the West Indies clawed to 124 for nine in 20 overs after languishing at 94 for seven at one stage, reports CMC.

Dwayne Bravo top-scored with 35. Sunil Narine, sent in at number six to provide a left-hand, right-hand combination to counter Pakistan's attack, added 28.

Kieron Pollard had the only other innings of substance scoring 23, including 20 runs off four balls in the 17th over bowled by Zulfiqar Babar.

Babar had the final laugh though, Pollard lofting a catch to Tanvir and Bravo followed immediately afterwards, caught by Mohammad Azam as he attempted to clear the in-field.

Tanvir started the rot when he had Johnson Charles caught behind without scoring and Mohammad Hafeez accounted for Chris Gayle, who lobbed a catch to Shahid Afridi at mid-off.

Marlon Samuels (1) got one that bounced sharply on him and Umar Akmal came up with a catch behind the stumps.

Lendl Simmons, who has had a good run of scores in the preceding One-Day International series was bowled by Afridi for three, that left the West Indies 17-4.

Narine and Bravo had the best partnership of the innings putting on 47 for the sixth wicket.

The West Indies lower order, however, had no answer for Babar and Saeed Ajmal who hastened the end.

The West Indies would have fancied their chances of levelling the series having restricted Pakistan to 135 for seven in their allotment.

Wicket-keeper batsman Umar Akmal, played another useful cameo for Pakistan with an unbeaten 46 from 36 deliveries, that included three fours and a six.

It came in the middle of the innings as Pakistan struggled to put partnerships together.