KIMBERLEY (South Africa), Feb 16: Wasim Akram celebrated his record-breaking 34th World Cup appearance in memorable fashion as he grabbed five for 28 to send Namibia to a crashing 171-run defeat at a hot and sticky De Beers Oval on Sunday.

Qualifiers Namibia were in danger of being skittled out for the lowest-ever World Cup total but managed to avoid that ignominy before being shot out for 84 off just 17.4 overs.

At one stage Namibia were 42 for nine but a defiant last wicket partnership between Bjorn Kotze and Rudi van Vuuren not only doubled the score but also comfortably overhauled World Cup’s lowest total of 45, scored by Canada against England at Old Trafford in 1979.

The win was a welcome one for Pakistan, giving Waqar Younis’s men their first points of the competition in the tight Group ‘A’ after the mauling received against Australia in their opening match at the Wanderers last Tuesday.

The Namibian batting was exposed by the wily Wasim and the raw pace of Shoaib Akhtar who scalped four wickets for 46 runs. Off-spinner Saqlain took the remaining wicket with his fourth ball. Five of the batsmen were lbw victims as Wasim’s swing and Shoaib’s blistering thunderbolts proved too hot for the flat-footed and inexperienced Namibians.

Only two batsmen — van Vuuren (14) and Bjorn Kotze (24 not out) — managed to cross the double figures. Mr Extras were the second highest scorer with 17.

Wasim, who had earlier hit a quick 20 not out and was adjudged Man of the Match, also took his tally of one-day victims to 498. His five-wicket haul also raised his tally of World Cup victims to 51, far far ahead of his nearest rival, South African pacer Allan Donald, who is also playing his last World Cup.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batsmen made heavy weather against a moderate Namibia attack to score 255 for nine with none of their batsmen looking in total command.

Pakistan once again shuffled the batting order with a fit-again Saeed Anwar and Saleem Elahi opening the innings and Younis Khan promoted to number three.

Inexplicably, the team’s think tank continues to experiment with the batting order which is not helping in restoring the confidence of the batsmen as no one is sure where he will bat.

This was clearly evident though all the top order batsmen made useful contributions, apart from the out-of-sort Inzamam-ul-Haq, but they lacked authority and fluency.

Saleem Elahi top-scored with 63 off 100 deliveries with five boundaries but hardly dominated the bowling. He also failed to take advantage of a dropped catch when 38 and finally surrendered his wicket to a tame stroke.

Left-hander Saeed, back in the side after a long lay-off, batted well for his 23 but was out to an outstanding catch while Younis lived dangerously for his 28 until he threw his wicket while trying to guide a straight delivery towards the vacant slip and was well caught by the wicket-keeper.

The Pakistan camp must be worried with their prime batsman Inzamam’s miserable run of poor scores. He never appeared comfortable until clean bowled attempting an outrageous square cut.

Rashid Latif, promoted in the order to perk up the run rate, blasted 36 off 30 balls and Yousuf Youhana’s 43 off 47 deliveries produced the best batting of the innings.

Namibia, taken to the cleaners in the opening match by Zimbabwe who amassed 340 for two, stuck to the task gamely with off-spinner and skipper Deon Kotze and leg-spinner Louis Burger bowled exceptionally well to keep Pakistan batsmen in check. The duo conceded only 30 and 32 runs respectively.

The Pakistan squad, who leaves for Cape Town on Monday, now have a five-day break before their vital day/night clash against England at the Newlands on Saturday.