The West Indies' Runako Morton (right) takes a catch to dismiss Pakistan's Imran Farhat in their second one-day international cricket match in Faisalabad yesterday. - Reuters

FAISALABAD, Pakistan (CMC):

West Indies bowlers fought back gallantly after earlier being let down by their batsmen, but Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq struck an unbeaten 42 to guide his team to a tense two-wicket victory in a low-scoring second one-day inter-national at the Iqbal Stadium yesterday.

The home team, chasing the West Indies' modest 151 all out off 49.5 overs, snuck home at 154 for eight with 10 balls to spare, after seamers Jerome Taylor and Corey Collymore had grabbed three wickets each to give the regional side hope.

West Indies' modest batting effort was highlighted by Runako Morton's gutsy topscore of 43 and a responsible 37 from Marlon Samuels.

Denesh Ramdin added 23 and Daren Ganga contributed 21.

Pacer Umar Gul, Pakistan's spearhead in the preceding Test series, again led the way with two for 19 off 9.5 overs.

His fresh new ball mate Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed two for 32 off 10 overs, while newcomer Abdur Rehman impressed as his full quota of left-arm spin earned him two for 20. Three run outs, including the crucial scalp of West Indies captain Brian Lara, helped the Pakistan cause.

The run chase was never straightforward on a pitch made helpful by the recent heavy rains across the country.

But Inzamam's battling knock led the way. Vice-captain Younis Khan scored 24 and Kamran Akmal hit a breezy 22 from No. 3. Taylor and Collymore, the best of the West Indians in the Tests, again proved a handful.

Collymore, only included in the squad after Bravo's withdrawal, showed his worth with three for 19 from 10 probing overs. Taylor's pace, movement and accuracy earned him three for 39 but it was just not enough.

The West Indies were under pressure early after both openers departed without scoring. Lendl Simmons chose to take first ball in his debut one-dayer ahead of his established partner Chris Gayle. The right-hander left that one alone but nibbled at his second from Gul and deflected a catch to wicket-keeper Akmal. Next over, Gayle could do little better as he edged his fourth delivery from Rana to first slip where Inzamam went low to his left to pouch a fine catch.

In peril

The innings, in peril at two for two, was rebuilt by Ganga and Samuels in a cautious third wicket stand of 46 that spanned 18 overs.

Ganga, who looked compact throughout his innings, eventually perished as he played across the line to a Rao Iftikhar outswinger and spooned to extra cover off the leading edge.

Lara and Samuels forged another useful association until a moment of hesitation cost the skipper his wicket.

Samuels drove into the leg side and sent Lara back too late as Shoaib Malik swooped and delivered an accurate return to the bowler. Lara was yards short and his frustration showed as he departed for 14.

When Dwayne Smith played across a straight one from Rehman to be lbw and Samuels casually edged a cut off the same bowler, three wickets had tumbled for seven runs and the innings was in ruin at 79 for six in the 32nd over.

Morton guided the rest of the order, with busy assistance from Ramdin, the pair adding 57 for the seventh wicket before the innings fell away as the overs began to subside.