Windies Crushed Pakistan To Give Threats To Other Teams

West Indies, bidding to become the first host nation to win the World Cup, got their campaign off to a dream start on Tuesday with a 54-run win over Pakistan.

Brian Lara's side, who were restricted to 241-9 off their 50 overs, bowled out Inzamam-ul-Haq's unpredictable Pakistanis for just 187 in 47.2 overs at a sun-drenched and packed Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Chasing 242, Pakistan looked on track when Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam put on 60 for the fourth wicket.

But man-of-the-match Dwayne Smith then snared three wickets - including Yousuf and Inzamam - for 36 runs from 10 overs.

Though Shoaib Malik cracked 62 to lead a late charge for the Pakistanis, Dwayne Bravo snuffed the life out of the comeback with three for 42 from nine overs.

Earlier Marlon Samuels hit 63 to lead the West Indies to a respectable score after they had struggled to 101-3 at the 30-over mark.

"Players like Marlon Samuels, Dwyane Bravo and Dwayne Smith were really special," said Lara. "The young players showed great spirit. Marlon had a real go and got us to four an over. Then we bowled well, it was a real team effort."

Inzamam, whose side came into the World Cyp beset by problems following the withdrawal of pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, admitted Lara's men were the better side. "They played really well," said Inzamam. "Now we have to take the pressure and try to do well in the remaining games. We have the experienced players to do well."

Wednesday sees what could be the first of many one-sided encounters in the first round when Scotland take on defending champions Australia in St Kitts. But Scotland's Australian coach Peter Drinnen insists his players won't be intimidated by Ricky Ponting's men.

"It's an incredible challenge and we've got to be realistic about it. We are not going to stand here and say that we can blow Australia out of the water," Drinnen said.

"Bat first, bat second, we're not worried. The wickets we've played on recently were a bit tacky so, come what may, we want give it our best shot." The Scots have plenty of experience in their side with Dougie Brown and Gavin Hamilton, both of whom have played one-dayers for England, in their squad.

South Africa and the Netherlands, who play Friday, make up Group A. Mickey Arthur, the coach of world number one South Africa, admitted that games against the non-Test playing nations are not something he looks forward to.

"I have always described the games against the Netherlands and Scotland as two scary games and we don't want any slip-ups in these games," Arthur said. Wednesday's other game sees 2003 semi-finalists face Canada in St Lucia. They may be the two minnows in a Group C featuring England and New Zealand, but they will both fancy their chances of beating the other.

Four years ago Kenya defeated Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, while, at the same World Cup, Canada beat Bangladesh by a crushing 60 runs in Durban.

The 2003 tournament also saw Canada's John Davison score the fastest century in World Cup history, off 67 balls, when he smashed the West Indies attack all round Centurion.