At Sharjah, November 5. West Indies won by six wickets. Toss: West Indies.

Two brilliant centuries dominated the game. Basit Ali transformed Pakistan's innings, in dire straits at 87 for three in the 28th over, with an unbeaten 127 – his maiden international hundred – from only 79 balls, with 12 fours and five sixes. He reached three figures in 67 balls, just short of Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 62 balls against New Zealand in 1988–89. Salim Malik helped him add 172 in 21 overs. But Pakistan's bowling, with Waqar Younis just back from injury and without Wasim Akram, Abdul Qadir or Aqib Javed, struggled to contain the West Indian reply.

Lara rose to the occasion with 153, his highest limited-overs score, from 144 balls, including 21 fours. He shared a second-wicket stand of 111 in 15 overs with Simmons. Only his dismissal, caught behind off Mushtaq Ahmed, stemmed the flow a little; Richardson and Hooper took four overs to complete the 12 runs needed for victory – but even then they had 27 balls to spare.

Man of the Match: B. C. Lara. Man of the Series: P. V. Simmons.

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