At Melbourne, January 20 (day/night). Pakistan won by 62 runs. Toss: Pakistan.

Pakistan were deserving World Series victors at their sixth attempt. Fast bowlers ruled on a difficult, seaming pitch which allowed no batsman to reach 50. Pakistan batted and made just 165. But Wasim Akram was at his unpredictable best. He started off with three wides, then made Campbell tread on his stumps next ball. From that point, he was all over the West Indians like a wasp, while Waqar trapped Murray with his first delivery. West Indies were already doomed at 85 for seven – Campbell, Murray, Hooper, Adams and Simmons having managed just one run between them – when the MCG's floodlight system cut out for 24 minutes. A quick-thinking ground announcer played the Rolling Stones number Start Me Up. West Indian spirits were further lowered when, five days before the Fourth Test, their spearhead, Ambrose, suffered a thigh injury while batting.

Player of the Finals: Shahid Afridi. Attendance: 23,045.

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