Abbas’ late double-strike blows first Test wide open

Abbas sent back Kieran Powell and Nkrumah Bonner for ducks in successive deliveries to peg the West Indies back.

Bad light forced Pakistan an early close to Day 1 in Jamaica with the hosts ending the day on two for two in four overs. The only reason Pakistan got to a total of over 200 was thanks to Fawad Alam, who kept the West Indies at bay with a more-than-handy 56 after his side were reduced to 123 for five at one stage.

Faheem Ashraf and Alam settled into a sixth-wicket stand that was worth 85 keeping the West Indies at bay.

They scored at a quick pace with boundaries flowing at will. Anything pitched outside off, they put away as the pair revived Pakistan’s innings that seemed to be going nowhere.

Ashraf fell against the run of play on 44 when he was caught short of his crease when going for a quick run as West Indies broke the resilient stand. Alam fell soon after and the rest followed as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 31 runs.

The middle session was a drama-filled one with as many as six reviews taken in the 32 overs bowled after lunch after the West Indies opted to bowl.

After an early lunch break was forced due to a rain interruption just 17 overs into the opening day’s play, West Indies’ bowlers continued where they left off and were right on the money after resumption.

Just like they had bowled in the morning session with utmost discipline, they posed questions right from the first over after lunch when Azhar Ali was given out caught-behind, poking at one.

The batsman reviewed it and with nothing on Ultra Edge, the decision was reversed. He went on to add 47 runs with Babar Azam as the third-wicket duo steadied the Pakistan ship.

Chief scores

Pakistan: 217 (Babar Azam 30, Fawad Alam 56, Faheem Ashraf 44, Kemar Roach 2/47, Jayden Seales 3/70, Jason Holder 3/26)

West Indies: 2/2 (Mohammad Abbas 2-0).

(Agencies)