Pakistan win third ODI to take unbeatable lead

LAHORE, Pakistan, Dec 10 (Reuters) Pakistan spurred on by a half century from Imran Farhat beat West Indies by seven wickets in the third one-day international to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the five-match series today.

Chasing a revised target of 191 in 35 overs under the Duckworth Lewis scoring method after a malfunction in the floodlights caused 60 minutes' loss of play, Pakistan reached 192 for three in 33.4 overs.

Mohammad Yousuf was unbeaten on 28 and Shoaib Malik 21.

West Indies closed their innings on 207 for seven in 46.3 overs.

The umpires initially halted play due to murky conditions and then declared the innings closed when the floodlights could not be switched on.

The West Indian innings revolved around a maiden half century from 21-year-old Lendl Simmons, playing his second match, after pacer Rana Naved took three for 37 including the key wicket of Brian Lara who was trapped leg before for a first-ball duck.

Farhat (58) and Mohammad Hafeez (31) gave Pakistan a streaky start by putting on 64 runs before the first wicket fell in the 13th over.

Hafeez played some powerful shots in his 43-ball innings including a huge six over deep mid-wicket off Chris Gayle who eventually had him caught on the boundary by Jerome Taylor.

The left-handed Farhat was also supported by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal who came in and struck 23 from 20 balls with four boundaries before he was caught behind off Gayle by Denesh Ramdin.

Corey Collymore, who beat the bat several times, had Farhat caught in the deep after he had also swiped Marlon Samuels for a big six with the total on 148.

INJURED FINGER The tourists did not help their cause by conceding 31 extras including 17 wides.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq retired hurt in the 14th over, when he injured his index finger trying to stop a full-blooded shot from Samuels.

Simmons batted patiently for his runs, reaching his 50 from 96 balls with five boundaries until he was bowled by Naved off the penultimate ball before the suspension.

Naved also dismissed Gayle, who made a hard-hitting 41 from 37 balls with seven fours and a six.

Simmons struck seven fours in his 130-ball knock as the tourists again missed experienced batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul who is struggling with a left knee problem.

They have already lost their key one-day performer, batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan and all rounder Dwayne Bravo for the series.

''It was a satisfying innings out there today. The ball was doing a bit and being an opener helped me through specially after Gayle had gone. I tried to keep the aggression going,'' Simmons said.

The Trinidad and Tobago opener said he was looking forward to playing in the remaining two games of the series to cement his place in the side.

''After this innings I am confident of making myself a permanent place in the team and following a legacy of some of the best openers West Indies cricket has produced (and) maybe look at a spot in the World Cup,'' Simmons said.

The first match of the series was washed out without a ball being bowled in Rawalpindi.

REUTERS AY RN2226