Lendl Simmons returned to international cricket with a bang as West Indies beat Pakistan by seven runs in the one-off Twenty20 international in St Lucia.
Simmons, back after more than a year out of favour, hammered 65 off 44 balls in a total of 150-7 after the home side chose to bat first.And that proved just enough as rookie leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed 4-17 to help ensure Pakistan's run chase finished short on 143-9.
West Indies had appeared on course for a bigger score before Pakistan fought back impressively in the field.
Andre Fletcher was lbw for one to left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman (2-22) at the start of the second over but second-wicket pair Simmons and Darren Bravo added 99 in 67 deliveries.
Simmons brought up a 31-ball half-century in the 11th over and West Indies were well on top when Rehman's return brought about the downfall of Bravo for 42.
Having hit seven fours and two sixes, Simmons was run out shortly afterwards atttempting to steal a single to short third-man.
Collapse
That was the start of a collapse from 101-1 to 150-7 during the final eight overs of the innings, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (2-35) and left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz (2-24) each collecting two scalps.Pakistan quickly slumped to 49-4 in reply before Umar Akmal gave them hope with a run-a-ball 41.
But Bishoo, playing in his first T20 international, ran through the middle order, including a rare hit wicket dismissal of Misbah-ul-Haq for a golden duck.
Paceman Ravi Rampaul also impressed with 3-31 and, although Ajmal flayed 21 not out at the death, Pakistan's last pair managed only six of the 14 needed off the final over as Andre Russell (0-28) held his nerve.
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