Pacers, Imam and Masood lead Pakistan’s fightback on Day 2

After a collective effort from their fast bowlers restricted West Indies to 311, Pakistan rode on half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood to nudge ahead in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. A 155-run partnership for the second wicket between Imam and Masood powered Pakistan along as they ended Day 2 on 199/3, after Shai Hope top-scored with 92 for the hosts.

West Indies began the day on 194/3 but Kavem Hodge added just one run to his overnight score and was dismissed for 84 by Khurram Shahzad. Hope motored along though to raise his half-century and while he should’ve perished soon after to Mohammad Ali, Azan Awais dropped him at first slip. Hope edged one more that fell short of the cordon, but Justin Greaves’ edge flew to Salman Agha shortly after drinks as Ali bagged his first wicket. Pakistan waited 21 deliveries and even had the ‘keeper up to the stumps before taking the second new ball.

Hope lofted Shahzad for a six, but Mohammad Abbas had skipper Roston Chase nicking behind. Shahzad then removed Kemar Roach after a string of quiet overs, before Shamar Joseph came out swinging slamming a six and four fours to power West Indies past 300 by Lunch. But Ali took matters into his hands after Lunch, nabbing Joseph with the short ball two deliveries into the second session. He soon wrapped things up by trapping Hope leg before for 92, two balls after which Jayden Seales was cleaned up as Ali walked away with a four-fer.

Roach struck early for the hosts as Awais was bowled for a duck, but Imam and Masood then joined forces to put Pakistan firmly in the ascendancy. Imam was in fluent touch from the get go, reeling off a couple of early boundaries after the fall of the first wicket. Masood experienced early jitters in the form of a couple of fortuitous boundaries and a tough catching chance going down, but the intent to keep the scoreboard moving forward was clear on Pakistan’s part as they got to 50 in the ninth over. The boundaries kept flowing and Masood eased into his innings, racing to a 46-ball half-century. Another streaky boundary followed but fortune continued to shine on him before both batters steered Pakistan through to Tea.

Jomel Warrican failed to give West Indies the requisite control as both southpaws looked at ease against him. Imam brought up his 11th Test fifty with a powerful drive off Roach, but Joseph brought the 155-run partnership to a close as Imam edged a flashy drive to second slip. It brought Joseph some solace after a frustrating spell where he overstepped a couple of times.

Captain Babar Azam began positively with a couple of early boundaries, but was squared up by Seales and edged behind for 23. Masood had slowed down considerably in the final session but remained much steadier, ending the day unbeaten on 88. Giving him company was Salman, who did not open his account after nine deliveries as the fading light took effect in the last half hour. The day, however, belonged to Pakistan, who are now 112 runs adrift of West Indies’ first innings score.

Brief Scores: West Indies 311 (Shai Hope 92, Kavem Hodge 84; Mohammad Ali 4-50, Mohammad Abbas 3-66) lead Pakistan 199/3 (Shan Masood 88*, Imam-ul-Haq 63; Shamar Joseph 1-33, Kemar Roach 1-33) by 112 runs.