There was early joy for Pakistan when Waqar Younis sent Darren Ganga back to the pavilion in just the first ball of the innings. Nicking one through, Ganga watched in disbelief as the most feeble of appeals was upheld. Television replays however suggested that there was indeed a nick, despite the lack of a vigourous appeal.

West Indies 0/1 in pursuit of 233. Waqar must have been pleased as punch, scenting a collapse in the batting. No such luck. Chris Gayle, spurred on by the loss of his partner clinically took apart the bowling. Anything that was pitched up saw the front foot inch out, get to the pitch of the ball and a free swing send the ball thumping onto the advertising hoardings on the off side fence.

It was the short ball however came in for the most punishment. Without bothering to move his feet Gayle rocked back, opened the face of the bat and gave the ball a heavy thump. Nothing however prepared the Pakistanis for the kind of stroke Gayle played against Waqar. Seeing a short ball very early, Gayle got into position and pulled so hard that the ball clattered onto the roof of the stadium.

The assault however did not last as long as the West Indies would have liked. Shoaib Akhtar, after being hit for 40 runs in his first four overs got sweet revenge. A good length ball just outside the off saw Gayle chip straight to point – a soft dismissal to end an exhilarating innings - 63 runs in 46 balls with 8 clean hits to the fence and 3 that went all the way.

After Gayle’s wicket, things looked shaky once more and it was a familiar story playing for the men from the Caribbean. Wavell Hinds played reasonably well for 29 before being completely cleaned up by an express Akhtar yorker. Carl Hooper (7) was trapped plumb in front by Waqar. Runako Morton, making his debut, struggled to get going and was put out of his misery (16 in 29 balls) by a big inswinger from the pacy Mohammad Sami. From 101/1 in 14 overs the West Indies slumped to 133/5 in 22.5 overs.

At the end of 25 overs, West Indies were 144/5 with Chanderpaul on 3 and Ryan Hinds on 5.

Malik, who is essentially an offspinner, who had never made an ODI half-century before this game, put his head down and saved Pakistan the blushes. Although not the prettiest of batsmen, Malik was supremely effective. Hitting the ball straight back down the ground for the best part, Malik was not afraid to take the aerial route.

Keeping Malik company early on was Naved Latif (45) who also showed signs of performing well. The bustling middle order batsman scored plenty of runs square of the wicket, pulling with aggression and finding the fence at square leg more than once. However, one particular heave could not clear the field as Cuffy caught him out off the bowling of Hooper.

Abdul Razzaq, with spanking new first name and all, treated the crowds to some power hitting. The athletic all-rounder, man of the series in the Tests and man of the match in the first one-dayer, used the long handle to good effect. One Collymore over came in for a lot of stick – the first ball disappeared over long on and a few balls later one crashed into the stands over midwicket.

Razzaq however chanced his arm once too many times. On 30 a square cut was snapped up by a diving Chirs Gayle at point off the bowling of Ryan Hinds.

Rashid Latif ran himself out soon after and it looked like Malik would be left high and dry. Waqar Younis however had the pleasure of being out in the middle to see his best laid plans come to fruition. In the 48th over Malik tapped the ball to the on side, ran a quick single and brought up a century that he will remember for a long time to come. Malik’s joy was there for all to see as he took his helmet out and acknowledged the cheers of the crowd. The whole Pakistan team were on their feet in the balcony.

The Pakistan team however could not play out the complete quota of 50 overs. When the last wicket fell in the last ball of the 49th over, Malik was unbeaten on a magnificent 111 (130 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) and Pakistan had posted a healthy 232.

There was surprise for everyone when Inzamam ul-Haq came out to open the batting with Shahid Afridi. The tall man from Multan, is as good a batsman as anyone on his day, but sadly for Pakistan supporters he has been in a rut off late. That just continued as Inzamam (3) drove hard at a delivery pitched just outside the off stump with no movement of the feet. Cameron Cuffy exulted as the resultant snick was pouched by Rashid Latif.

Without further addition to the score Afridi departed, handing Merv Dillon a caught and bowled. The hardhitting Pathan made just 4 and Pakistan were in deep trouble at 7/2.

Shoaib Malik, offspinning allrounder, was sent in at number four, another sign of Pakistan’s confidence.

Younis Khan played some glorious drives in his attempt to shore up the innings. Clearly a talented cricketer with a positive outlook, he found the stifling line and length of the West Indian fast bowlers too much to handle. After making 18 (38 balls, 2 fours) Younis Khan was trapped plumb in front by a full delivery from Cuffy.

What came as a surprise was the quick dismissal of Yousuf Youhana. A batsman who usually takes Pakistan out of the woods, Youhana did not last long on the day. Corey Collymore had his second scalp of the day when Youhana played down the wrong line and was out lbw. Youhana made just 1 and Pakistan slumped to 51/4.

Naved Latif, negotiating things at one end while wickets tumbled at the other was unbeaten on 15 from 30 balls and had the surprise package Malik on 31 (64 balls, 3 fours) as Pakistan limped to 76/4 at the halfway stage.

The wicket here at Sharjah remains a good one, with not much signs of wear and tear. When Pakistan won the toss, they had no hesitation in electing to bat first. Playing some good cricket at the moment, Pakistan could afford to give its younger charges a game – Mohammed Sami comes in for Wasim Akram while Shoaib Malik replaces Saqlain Mushtaq.

For their part West Indies made one change, bringing in Runako Morrton for Darrel Brown.

Pakistan team: Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Naved Latif, Yousuf Youhana, +Rashid Latif, Abdur Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, *Waqar Younis.