Johannesburg, Sep 24 - Pakistan struggled hard to manage a five-wicket win over West Indies in a Group A match of the Champions Trophy at the Wanderers here Wednesday.
Chasing a paltry target of 134 runs, Pakistan's top order collapsed but Man of the Match Umar Akmal played a composed unbeaten 41 and stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi, leading in place of injured Younis Khan, remained not out on 17 to see his team home safely in 30.3 overs with five wickets in hand.
Young West Indies captain Floyd Reifer's decision to bat proved costly as teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul took advantage of a lively wicket and grabbed three wickets each to bowl them out for 133 in 34.3 overs.
The depleted West Indies side never recovered from a poor start and had it not been lower-order batsman Nikita Miller's gutsy 51, they wouldn't have crossed the century-mark. Miller struck his maiden half-century and smashed one six and six boundaries in his 57-ball knock.
Darren Sammy (25) and Devon Smith (18) were the other two batsmen to get to double figures on a night of dismal performance.