After winning the toss, the Caribbeans opted to bat first. Skipper Courtney Walsh's decision proved right as the openers, Philo Wallace and Stuart Williams gave a solid 81 runs start. Saqlain Mushtaq got the first breakthrough in the 16 overs as he dismissed Wallace after the opener had scored 32.

West Indies, who have for quite some time come to depend heavily on Brian lara, were not disappointed. The diminutive master batsman played a scintillating knock of 88 from 80 balls which included seven boundaries and three sixes. He was well supported by Williams, who went on to make 77 runs after being twice dropped by Wasim Akram.

He was first let off at 50 when the total was 98. The bowler to suffer was Azhar Mahmood. In the next over by Shahid Afridi, Williams was again dropped by the Pakistani skipper, at 104 his own score was 53. Williams 50 was compiled from 61 balls. But Lara played a chanceless knock, racing to 50 in 46 balls with the help of two boundaries and three sixes. Lara and Williams added 79 runs for the second wicket taking the total to 160. Lara was involved in anoher productive stand of 57 runs with Carl Hooper (17). He was finally well caught by Azhar Mahmood when Wasim Akram came to bowl his second spell. The Pakistan skipper removed three West Indians in this spell to finish with 3 for 62. Saqlain was once again the most successful and economical bowler with 3 for 35.