Hosts fail to make starts count as Sami Aslam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed fall after making fifties.

By Abdullah Ansari (30th October, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss, Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bat first.

Teams

Pakistan: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz.

West Indies: KC Brathwaite, LR Johnson, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, J Blackwood, RL Chase, SO Dowrich (wk), JO Holder (c), D Bishoo, ST Gabriel, AS Joseph.

West Indies started the day with a bang as the ever-improving speedster Gabriel accounted for Azhar Ali with just the second ball of the day as the batsman edged a rising, pacy delivery to slip. Two balls later, it got even better for the visitors as Gabriel got one to nip back into Shafiq who missed - West Indies took a succesful review with both batsmen dismissed for ducks. Pakistan's jittery start continued with Sami surviving a run out chance. The batsmen were tested as Joseph had Sami edging one past third slip. Younis survived dangerously as first Johnson put down a tough chance and then the keeper fumbled a stumping opportunity, both in the same over. Pakistan went to lunch at 81/2, having endured a tough first session.

The batsmen looked more comfortable after lunch though Sami survived another run out chance. The hundred partnership was brought up as both batsmen got to their fifties but Younis departed in an uncharacteristic manner as he went for a slog sweep to a delivery that wasn't there for the shot and top edged it, dismissed for 51 off Chase. Misbah began in his preferred sedate manner as the runs dried up. West Indies took a review for caught behind and were convinced they had the Pakistan captain but the lack of Hot-spot and Snicko meant that the on-field decision stayed due to a lack of evidence. The batsmen settled down thereafter as Pakistan went to the tea break at 148/3.

Pakistan had a bad start to the third session as Bishoo got Sami in the first over as the opener went for a reverse-sweep but only succeeded in edging it. Misbah took the attack to Bishoo, launching him for a four and a six as the partnership with Sarfraz progressed at a good pace. Sarfraz scored at run-a-ball or better for the vast majority of his innings as he manouevered the field well. Misbah got to his fifty but was dismissed caught behind off a reverse-sweep - he reviewed but the evidence was inconclusive. Nawaz came in and once again disappointed with the bat as Bishoo had him stumped. Sarfraz got to his fifty but was dismissed by Gabriel as Pakistan wilted in the closing stages. Wahab was also LBW to Bishoo as the hosts finished the day at 255/8.

Summary: A disappointing day for Pakistan despite four half-centuries by the batsmen. Sami Aslam top-scored but once again fell half-way between the fifty and hundred mark and the other three batsmen all fell soon after getting to their fifty, much to the disappointment of the hosts. They would have looked to one of the batsmen at least carrying on to make a big score but it wasn't to be. Credit to West Indies as Gabriel was very impressive while Bishoo proved to be a threat as he finished with four wickets. Pakistan will hope that the pitch will help their bowlers more after two Tests of immense toil at Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Fall of wickets:

1-1 (Azhar Ali, 0.2 ov)
2-1 (Asad Shafiq, 0.4 ov)
3-107 (Younis Khan, 37.1 ov)
4-150 (Sami Aslam, 54.5 ov)
5-230 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 72.1 ov)
6-242 (Mohammad Nawaz, 76.5 ov)
7-248 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 79.5 ov)
8-248 (Wahab Riaz, 80.1 ov)

Discuss!