TAROUBA, Trinidad and Tobago (AFP) — Shan Masood anchored a strong reply by Pakistan with the visitors reaching 199 for three in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 311 at the close of the second day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Sunday. Masood’s unbeaten 88 and opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq’s 63 ensured the day belonged almost completely to the visitors after the home side slipped from their overnight position of 194 for three, Mohammad Ali taking four wickets as the Pakistani seamers made up for an indifferent effort on the opening day. Removed as captain in the aftermath of a 2-0 series loss in Bangladesh in May, Masood enjoyed early luck and then survived a late scare.
In-between, though, the 36-year-old batted attractively, his innings so far occupying 137 deliveries during which he stroked 11 fours. His 155-run second-wicket partnership with Imam-ul-Haq following the early loss of Azan Awais to Kemar Roach came at almost a run-a-ball through a scorching afternoon when the West Indies bowlers failed to establish any consistency in line and length, paying a heavy price as the two left-handers made merry in the blistering sunshine. Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales redressed the balance somewhat in the final session with the wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, the veteran right-hander re-appointed as captain for this brief series and falling just before bad light took the players off the field for the last time.
“My main focus was to leave the ball well and I was just waiting for them [the bowlers] to come in my zone to score runs, and luckily enough it turned out to be my day,” said Imam-ul-Haq in reflecting on his contribution, which included seven fours off 102 deliveries. As if to reinforce that perspective on the importance of the first session of the day, West Indies’ quest for a first innings total in excess of 400 was immediately undermined at the start of play when Kavem Hodge fell to Khurram Shazad for 84, adding just one to his overnight score and closing off a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shai Hope. Hope was badly missed by Awais at slip when on 51 but Pakistan picked up three more wickets in the morning session.
Mohammad Ali, the unfortunate bowler when Hope edged to first slip, roared with relief when he removed Justin Greaves, Salman Ali Agha taking one of his four catches in the innings.
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