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West Indies now have 100 000 reasons to win the Sharjah Champions’ Trophy Tournament.

Sponsors Cable and Wireless yesterday announced a US$50 000 incentive to add to the US$50 000 official first prize.

The West Indies suffered huge losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their latest games and were given a reprieve when Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan by 118 runs yesterday.

West Indies will qualify for Friday’s final if they beat Pakistan today, but their recent record against the 1999 World Cup finalists is not promising.

We feel that it is important to give the West Indies team a strong incentive to do well in this tournament, Cable and Wireless spokesman Sonny Peart said yesterday.

Success now should certainly boost the team’s confidence for the more important Test and One-Day tournaments later on this year and in 2000, he added.

Shahid Afridi and Abdur Razzaq lashed thunderous half-centuries as Pakistan overpowered the Sri Lankans to reach the Sharjah Cup final.

Opener Afridi hammered 58 from 50 deliveries and Razzaq struck an unbeaten 59 from the same number of balls to spur Pakistan to 239 for eight in their 50 overs.

Sri Lanka, reduced to 15 for three by new-ball pair Shabbir Ahmed and Wasim Akram, eventually crumbled to 121 all out off 33.4 overs.

Pakistan’s win put them top of the triangular tournament table on five points from three matches, with Sri Lanka second on three points after completing all four games. The West Indies have two points.

Afridi set the tone for Pakistan’s innings after opener Saeed Anwar went without scoring, smashing the Sri Lankan attack for five sixes and two fours.

Razzaq, batting with confidence and authority, hit three sixes and two fours and was chiefly responsible for Pakistan rattling up 74 in the last ten overs.

Paceman Shabbir, playing only his second match for Pakistan, dispatched Sanath Jayasuriya (five) and fellow opener Romesh Kaluwitharana (two), and Akram sent back Russel Arnold (four) his 100th wicket in Sharjah in 62 matches to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 15 for three.

Afridi sealed a fine all-round performance by taking two wickets for six runs in three overs, earning the Man-of-The-Match award.