ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Kirk Edwards’ brilliant unbeaten 89 almost took West Indies A over the line but it was Ravi Rampaul’s last ball heroics that earned them a thrilling tie with Pakistan A in the opening game of the three-match one-day series yesterday.
The 26-year-old right-hander held the innings together with a fantastic knock but with the hosts needing five runs off the last ball to win the game, Rampaul lashed a boundary as West Indies A finished on 227 for seven from their allotted 50 overs.
Earlier, openers Khurram Manzoor (66) and Umair Khan (59) slammed half-centuries as Pakistan A, sent in to bat at the Grenada National Stadium, tallied 227 for nine.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo snatched three for 37 while fast bowlers Rampaul (2-28) Jason Holder (2-27) finished with two wickets apiece.
West Indies A’s start was a shaky one as they lost Rajendra Chandrika (3) and Andre Fletcher (15) with the score on 23 for two in the 10th over.
However, Edwards anchored the first of three partnerships when he added 85 for the third wicket with left-handed stroke-maker Kieran Powell whose 41 came from 62 balls and included two fours.
Edwards, who faced 128 balls and struck five fours, then posted another 46 for the fourth wicket with Jonathan Carter who struck a four and a six in 21 off 35 balls.
He then carved out a further 49 from 41 balls for the fifth wicket with captain Dave Bernard who slammed a cameo 17-ball 31 with three fours and two sixes.
Requiring seven runs from the last over, West Indies A lost Holder (4) to the first ball and Nikita Miller was bowled without scoring off the fifth delivery with five runs left to win, before Rampaul spared his side blushes.
Fast bowler Anwar Ali finished with three for 36 while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar claimed two for 37.
Pakistan A had seemed in control when Manzoor and Umair added 134 for the first wicket, with Manzoor striking five fours off 110 balls and Umair counting five fours off 83 balls.
But Bishoo removed both to start a slide from which the tourists never recovered.
