The West Indies team lifted the mood in the Caribbean when they registered a 54-run
win over Pakistan in the first World Cup match here. All rounder Dwayne Smith dominated with bat and ball to ensure the World Cup hosts opened the
competition with a victory. 
West Indies made 241 for nine and then bowled Pakistan
out for 187. The victory, after their seemingly hopeless performance last week
against India, brought a new lease of life for the hosts who are facing much
pressure to capture the World Cup trophy on home ground.
"It was a very good team effort," West Indies skipper
Brian Lara told reporters. "We only used five bowlers and they all
bowled very well.
"I was satisfied with the score we made after the start we had and thought
the guys played well over the last eight overs. That gave us impetus."
Smith's cameo of 32 from 15 balls pushed his side to a competitive
total. He was declared the man of the match. His medium-pace bowling also turned
the game in West Indies' direction. Smith claimed the vital wickets of Mohammad
Yousuf and Pakistan skipper Inzamam ul Haq in a return of three for
36.
"I have been working really hard in the nets ... all I really wanted to
do was help the team to win," said Smith. "We just have to keep doing
the basics well now."
Major batting contributions were made from Marlon Samuels
(63), Ramnaresh Sarwan (49) and captain Brian Lara making 37. Later seamer
Dwayne Bravo took three for 42.
The West Indies have not been back to a World Cup final since
losing to India in 1983, missing out on a three-peat by one match. No host has
ever won the World Cup final on home soil, although Sri Lanka upset Australia
in 1996 in a final played in Pakistan when the tournament was spread around
the Indian subcontinent.
The win gives West Indies pole position in the group ahead of their games against
Zimbabwe and Ireland and two points to take into the Super Eights stage.
The West Indies pace attack inflicted early damage with Daren
Powell claiming openers Imran Nazir and Hafeez and Jerome Taylor dismissed
Younus Khan as Pakistan stumbled to 39 for three.
But then Inzamam and Yousuf showed a patient partnership. Smith
broke the partnership having Yousuf caught behind for 37. Then he turned the
game when he trapped Inzamam leg before for 36.
Dwayne Bravo dealt with the lower order with the wickets of
Rana Naved ul Hasan, Rao Iftikhar and Umar Gul. Bravo took
three wickets at the end and Pakistan was all out for 187 in 47 overs.
"I think it was important they seized the moment,"
Lara said of his young teammates. "We said this was not a World Cup for
the experienced players and we would be tapping on the shoulders of the younger
players to win this World Cup."
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