March 22, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1428

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KINGSTON (Jamaica), March 21: Imran Nazir cracked a sparkling 160 as Pakistan scored 349 for their highest World Cup total, against Zimbabwe in their final match at Sabina Park on Wednesday.

In an emotion-filled morning, which included a one-minute silence following the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Sunday and then a guard of honour send-off for departing skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran dominated.

Pakistan were playing for pride having already been eliminated following defeats to West Indies and Ireland.

Imran's career-best, made off 121 deliveries, included 14 boundaries and a joint World Cup record eight sixes. Only Australia captain Ricky Ponting has scored as many at a World Cup, in the 2003 final.

Imran was the mainstay of Pakistan's innings by a long way as the next highest scorer was Inzamam with 37 in his final innings in a One-day International and as captain.

Zimbabwe, though, required a win to maintain hopes of a Super Eights place. That looked to be unlikely as they required about seven runs an over.

Imran was fortunate to survive when he was on 31 after Gary Brent trapped him on the crease and television replays suggested he should have been lbw.

He also skied Brent to deep backward square leg when on 81 but Friday Kasteni dropped a straightforward catch and Imran picked up a single. But he deserved his luck with some exhilarating stroke play.

When past three figures, Imran crashed left-arm spinner Sean Williams for six over midwicket and then showed enough composure to dab the next ball to the vacant third man boundary for four.

Imran's previous highest score was 105 not out, his only other one-day century, also made against Zimbabwe. Pakistan's total was also the eighth-highest in a World Cup match.

 

Scoreboard
PAKISTAN:
Kamran Akmal c Taylor b Chigumbura	15
Imran Nazir c Matsikenyeri b Mpofu	160
Shoaib Malik c Chibhabha b Williams	21
Inzamam-ul-Haq c Williams b Mupariwa	37
Mohammad Yousuf c and b Brent	3
Younis Khan run out	28
Shahid Afridi b Brent	16
Mohammad Sami c Utseya b Brent	5
Rao Iftikhar c Matsikenyeri b Chigumbura	32
Umar Gul b Chigumbura	10
Danish Kaneria not out	6
EXTRAS (LB-2, W-12, NB-2)	16
TOTAL (all out, 49.5 overs)	349
FALL OF WKTS: 1-31 (Kamran Akmal, 6.3 ov), 2-88 (Shoaib Malik, 17.4 ov), 3-158 (Inzamam-ul-Haq, 27.4 ov), 4-170 (Mohammad Yousuf, 30.4 ov), 5-252 (Younis Khan, 40.1 ov), 6-285 (Shahid Afridi, 43.1 ov), 7-295 (Imran Nazir, 44.1 ov), 8-301 (Mohammad Sami, 45.5 ov), 9-324 (Umar Gul, 47.5 ov).
BOWLING: Mpofu 10-1-74-1 (2w); Mupariwa 10-1-57-1 (1w); Chigumbura 6.5-1-50-3 (1nb, 1w); Brent 10-0-68-3 (3w); Williams 6-0-41-1 (1nb); Utseya 6-0-46-0 (1w); Chibhabha 1-0-11-0.
ZIMBABWE: V. Sibanda, F. Kasteni, C.J. Chibhabha, B.R.M. Taylor, S. Matsikenyeri, S.C. Williams, E. Chigumbura, G.B. Brent, P. Utseya, T. Mupariwa, C.B. Mpofu.
UMPIRES: S.J.A. Taufel (Australia) and B.G. Jerling (South Africa).
TV UMPIRE: I.J. Gould (England).
MATCH REFEREE: B.C. Broad (England).—Agencies