Batting in last 8 overs made the diffence: Lara

Kingston, Mar 14 (UNI) West Indies skipper Brian Lara showered praise over his players after the 54-run win against Pakistan in the opening match and said their batting in last eight overs made the difference.

''I was satisfied with the score we made after the start we had.

I think the guys played well over the last eight overs. That gave us impetus,'' Lara said after the match.

''It was a very good team effort. We only used five bowlers and they all bowled very well,'' he said.

He singled out Man of the Match Dwayne Smith for praise and said his all-round performance helped them win the match.

Batting at number eight, man-of-the-match Smith's cameo of 32 from 15 balls pushed his side to a competitive total and then his medium-pace bowling turned the game in West Indies' direction.

Smith also scapled the vital wickets of Mohammad Yousuf and Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq besides Kamran Akmal in quick succession.

''I have been working really hard in the nets ... all I really wanted to do was help the team to win,'' Smith said and added, ''We just have to keep doing the basics well now.'' UNI