Gayle smashes ton as West Indies hit 294-9 v Pakistan

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Captain Chris Gayle scored his 17th one-day international hundred to power West Indies to an imposing total of 294 for nine in the first match against Pakistan on Wednesday.

The left-hander bludgeoned 113 in 106 balls with 11 fours and five sixes as his side took full advantage of a good batting track after winning the toss.

Pakistan, though, pegged West Indies back by grabbing six wickets in the final 10 overs.

Left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the attack with three for 42 as he removed Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell in successive balls.

Pakistan received a pre-match blow when fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was ruled out with a calf injury.

Gayle was in aggressive mood, sprinting to his 50 in 36 balls and reaching three figures off 90 deliveries.

He and Sewnarine Chattergoon (33) also shared a first-wicket stand of 125 at a run a ball.

Gayle then added 73 for the second wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (55).

The opener eventually fell when he mistimed a pull straight to Shahid Afridi at mid-wicket off paceman Umar Gul (3-66) with the total on 198.

Sarwan was caught flicking Afridi down the leg side to keeper Kamran Akmal.