Pakistan overcame Brian Lara's defiant 33rd century to record an easy nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first Test at the Gaddafi stadium here Tuesday.

The home side faced tough resistance from the West Indian captain, who hit a stubborn 122, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (81) before they dismissed the tourists for 291 runs in their second innings on the fourth day.

Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (one) before Imran Farhat, who remained unbeaten on eight, took them to the target. Younis Khan had not scored.

Lara proved to be the main obstacle between the home team and victory, defying the Pakistan attack admirably in the first session and leading a fighting 137-run stand for the fifth wicket with Chanderpaul.

Lara batted with resolve as he cut and drove beautifully on a weary pitch.

The 37-year-old left-handed batsman let loose after lunch, hitting leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for two successive fours and then reaching his century by cutting fast bowler Umar Gul for his 16th boundary.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rang desperate changes to dislodge the pair and brought in Hafeez, who had Lara leg before off a miscued sweep and it allowed Pakistan to take the last six wickets in the space of just 53 runs.

Lara hit 19 boundaries during his 215-ball knock.

Lara is now third behind Indian maestros Sachin Tendulkar (35) and Sunil Gavaskar (34) in the all-time Test century list. This is his third successive hundred against Pakistan since hitting two centuries in the two-match series in the Caribbean last year.

Lara, who started his career at this ground 16 years ago, also notched up his best score in Pakistan. His previous best score in this country was 44 in his debut Test in 1990.

Next over, Chanderpaul, who batted with discomfort after suffering from a stomach bug for three days, survived a stumping off Kaneria when he was 56.

Gul, who was the best Pakistani bowler with 4-99 for nine wickets in the match, then removed Dwayne Bravo leg-before for three and Kaneria had Denesh Ramdin caught at forward short-leg for one to leave the tourists at 252-6 at the tea interval.

Pakistan took the second new ball with the tourists still needing nine runs to avoid an innings defeat. Chanderpaul hit Nazir for two boundaries before miscuing another pull to be caught at short mid-wicket by Mohammad Yousuf.

The 32-year left-handed batsman hit eight boundaries during his 262-minute stay at the crease.

Dave Mohammed avoided the innings defeat before Nazir dismissed him for 15. From the other end Gul wrapped up the innings by dismissing Jerome Taylor caught behind for eight to finish with 9-164 in the match.

Nazir finished with 3-99.

Resuming at 74-3 this morning, the West Indies lost nightwatchman Fidel Edwards in the eighth over of the day when paceman Shahid Nazir forced an edge to the slip where Younis Khan took a low catch. Edwards made 10.

Pakistan gave Lara a reprieve on 48 when Hafeez failed to hold a low catch at gully off Gul and the West Indian captain made the home side pay for the lapse for another three hours.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)