Rashid Latif made a useful 36 (Getty Images).

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Pakistan claimed their first win of the World Cup with a crushing 171-run win over Namibia in Kimberley on Sunday.

The African minnows had no answer to the pace and class of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar as they ripped through their fragile order for a paltry 84.

Pakistan had laboured to their 255 for nine but their total was always likely to prove too much for Namibia, who were simply out of their depth against two world-class fast bowlers.

The result was just what Pakistan needed to get back on track after their disappointing 82-run defeat by Australia in their opening Pool A game.

The writing was on the wall for Namibia as Wasim and Shoaib combined to reduce them to three for two just nine balls into their reply.

Wasim, who finished with five for 28, had Riaan Walters back in the pavilion after just four balls before Shoaib followed up with the dismissals Stefan Swanepoel and Daniel Keulder.

The rest of the side soon collapsed behind them although a determined last-wicket stand of 42 between top-scorer Bjorn Kotze, who hit an unbeaten 24, and Rudi van Vuuren temporarily delayed the inevitable.

The result was never in doubt but the aggressive strokeplay of the last pair at least ensured that their side avoided the ignominy of recording the World Cup's lowest score.

At 42 for nine the Namibians were in danger of eclipsing Canada's 45 in 1979 and it was not until Saqlain Mushtaq joined the attack in the 18th over that the last rites were administered.

Van Vuuren, who also intends to represent his country in the rugby union World Cup later this year, was the last man to go when he holed out to Waqar Younis at cover for 10.

The stand actually lifted the score to the fourth worst in tournament history and came after Wasim had won lbw decisions against Bryan Murgatroyd, Louis Burger, Melt van Schoor and Deon Kotze.

At the other end Shoaib accounted for Gerrie Snyman and Jan-Berrie Burger on his way to figures of four for 46 and thought he had added Bjorn Kotze to his list of victims only to be penalised for a no ball.

Namibia's feeble batting effort contrasted with a disciplined display in the field which prevented Pakistan from fully asserting themselves.

Salim Elahi batted through 35 overs for a patient 63 and Yousuf Youhana made a disciplined 43 but Namibia otherwise frustrated Pakistan with a tight line and some energetic fielding.

Bjorn Kotze and Snyman both claimed two wickets apiece as Namibia constantly chipped away at Pakistan to prevent any serious acceleration of the run rate.

With games against India and England to come, Pakistan will be concerned at their inability to dominate a modest attack.

For Namibia, their performance at least represented a big improvement on their showing against Zimbabwe last week when they conceded 340 runs for just two wickets.

Aside from a couple of comical aberrations, they were well-drilled and may fancy their chances of avenging their ICC Trophy final defeat by Holland.

But with Rashid Latif adding a useful 36 and Wasim contributing an aggressive unbeaten 20 towards the end of the innings, Pakistan were always likely to have too much for them here.