West Indies looked determined to defy the "Curse of the Host" with their
young guns firing on all cylinders during the side's comprehensive 54-run win
against former champions Pakistan in the cricket World Cup opener. 
Brian Lara's team of talented under-achievers did not
carry any emotional baggage from the nine-wicket thumping they had suffered
against India in the warm-up match and the trio of Dwayne Smith, Marlon
Samuels and Dwayne Bravo lived up to their captain's expectations
during the Group 'D' game at Sabina Park yesterday.
Put in to bat, the hosts survived initial hiccups to post a challenging 241
for nine on a sporting track and then skittled out Pakistan for 187 with more
than two overs to spare.
Smith walked away with the Man of the Match award for
his sterling all-round display, which included a 15-ball cameo of 32 and a bowling
return of 3-36.
Samuels topscored with 63, while Bravo grabbed 3-42 and was in fact on a hat-trick
at one point.
Victorious captain Brian Lara was naturally all praise for
the young brigade.
"They showed great spirit. Players like Samuels, Bravo
and Smith were really special today", he said.
"After the India match, we talked about how we needed both the young and
experienced players to come through if we were to have a chance of winning the
tournament," he added.
His Pakistan counterpart Inzamam ul Haq admitted the
hosts proved a better side in the match and hoped his own team would do well
in the next matches.
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