Hafeez and company conclude 'tough tour'

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Cricket365
October 23, 2013

Captain Mohammad Hafeez emerged the proud recipient of two-nil series triumph over World Twenty20 champions West Indies, after Sunday's 11-run win in the final T20I at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent.

A commanding 44 from opener Ahmed Shahzad and a quickfire 46 not out from wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal saw Pakistan's decision to bat first after winning the toss amount to 135 for seven.

The Windies, despite all-rounder Dwayne Bravo's patient 35 and promising cameos from pinch-hitter Sunil Narine and the hard-hitting Kieron Pollard, reached a mere 124 for nine in reply.

"This was a tough tour. Credit goes to the team and the coaches. This was a much needed win for Pakistan.We had no rest on this tour. I was comfortable with the score of 135 as we had four spinners in the team. I would like to thank Misbah for his excellent captaincy in the ODIs," said Hafeez, who took the reins from ODI skipper Misbah-ul-Haq for the weekend's fixtures.

"It is a great effort from the boys and we have been working hard. We have some match-winners in the team and I am happy that some of the youngsters are making an impression."

Spinner Zulfiqar secured the Player of the Series award on the back of five wickets in two matches, while Akmal was named Sunday's Man of the Match – thanks to a brisk vigil, which spanned a mere 36 deliveries and featured a trio of boundaries and one handsome six.

"It is the blessings of my mother and father that I have reached this far. In T20I, my idea was to contain the runs and I am glad that I got the wickets," added Babar.

"The seniors supported me well and the management also backed me. My wicketkeeping clicked in this series and that has reflected in the batting. Misbah backed me well in the ODIs. Hafeez also supported me," insisted Akmal.