Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal scored his maiden century in limited-overs internationals to guide Pakistan to a six-wicket win in their triangular series match against West Indies on Wednesday.

Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan each hit half-centuries to lift West Indies to 273 for five wickets in their 50 overs.

Pakistan reached 274 for four in reply, including Akmal's 124, to win with three overs to spare at the Gabba ground in Brisbane.

Pakistan had been 36 for two in eight overs after Mervyn Dillon struck twice, removing opener Salman Butt for 10 and Mohammad Hafeez for two.

The 23-year-old Akmal, who has 15 one-day caps, shared a 123-run partnership for the third wicket with Shoaib Malik (60). Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq played a steady hand in the closing overs, scoring an unbeaten 62.

Gayle survived difficult batting conditions early in the morning session for West Indies to hit seven fours in his 99-ball knock of 82, adding 86 for the first wicket with fellow left-hander Wavell Hinds.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25 not out) and Sarwan (76) contributed a half-century partnership for the fifth wicket after West Indies captain Brian Lara (39) and Ricardo Powell both fell to seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's bowling in the 43rd over.

Australia lead the series after winning the opening two matches against West Indies and Pakistan. Australia will host West Indies in Brisbane on Friday.

Scorecard

West Indies
C.Gayle c Shoaib Malik b Abdul Razzaq 82
W.Hinds c Salman Butt b Mohammad Hafeez 29
R.Sarwan c Rana Naved-ul-Hasan b Azhar Mahmood 76
B.Lara c Mohammad Hafeez b Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 39
R.Powell c Kamran Akmal b Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 0
S.Chanderpaul not out 25

Extras (lb-8, w-9, nb-5) 22

Total (for five wickets, 50 overs) 273

Fall of wickets: 1-86 2-149 3-209 4-211 5-273

Did not bat: M.Samuels, C.Browne, I.Bradshaw, M.Dillon, P.Collins.

Bowling: Shoaib Akhtar 2.5-0-7-0 (w-5) Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 10-0-55-2 (nb-1, w-3) Azhar Mahmood 9.1-0-57-1 (nb-1, w-1) Shahid Afridi 10-0-39-0 Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-54-1 Abdul Razzaq 7-0-43-1 (nb-2) Salman Butt 1-0-10-0 (nb-1)

Pakistan
Salman Butt b Dillon 10
Kamran Akmal c Lara b Bradshaw 124
Mohammad Hafeez c Gayle b Dillon 2
Shoaib Malik c Browne b Bradshaw 60
Inzamam-ul-Haq not out 62
Yousuf Youhana not out 9

Extras (lb-1, w-3, nb-3) 7

Total (for four wickets, 47.0 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1-28 2-36 3-159 4-239

Did not bat: Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

Bowling: Collins 10-0-50-0 (nb-3, w-1) Bradshaw 10-1-49-2 (w-1) Dillon 10-0-46-2 Samuels 9-0-72-0 Sarwan 5-0-31-0 (w-1) Hinds 3-0-25-0

Result: Pakistan won by six wickets.

Man of the match: Kamran Akmal (Pakistan).

Next game: Australia v West Indies (day-night), Brisbane, January 21.