Azhar hits ton as Pakistan make flying start in 400th Test

KARACHI: It was a historic occasion – Pakistan’s 400th Test and their first under lights.

And the hosts didn’t disappoint as they stamped their superiority over hapless West Indies on the opening day of what is only the second-ever pink-ball Test – in Dubai on Thursday.

Openers Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam made the most of a perfect opportunity to bat on a featherbed and against a toothless West Indian attack.

Azhar was unbeaten at 116 while Sami fell for 90 as Pakistan cruised to 215-1 in 68 overs (at the time of filing this report). Azhar hit 13 fours in his 116* while Sami smashed nine boundaries in his 212-ball knock that spanned almost five hours.

There were fears that the pink ball might pose problems to the batters but it turned out to be a cakewalk for the Pakistani openers after Misbah-ul-Haq opted to bat first.

Before the match began, the Pakistan Cricket Board organised a ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, legendary wicket-keeper, Wasim Bari, Chief-Selector Inzamam ul-Haq, West Indies’ legend Viv Richards and one of Pakistan’s most seasoned sports journalists Qamar Ahmed were the invited guests for the ceremony, where members of both the Pakistan and West Indies teams were presented with specially crafted commemorative coins. A 400th Test cake was cut to add to the historic occasion.

Later, Azhar and Sami took their time to settle down. But once they did, it seemed that the West Indian was completely incapable of breaking the partnership.

Azhar, playing his 50th Test, steered paceman Miguel Cummins for a double to reach his 21st half century.

Aslam was equally resolute as he knocked his fifth boundary off spinner Roston Chase for his third half-century in his fifth Test as the two openers added 91 in the second session after they were 81-0 at tea.

West Indies consumed both their referrals, first against Azhar off paceman Jason Holder when the batsman was on 38, and then on Aslam (69) off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo — both leg-before appeals.

West Indies’ spinners failed to create any problems for Pakistan’s openers who flourished as the day progressed.

It couldn’t have been a better start for Pakistan in a match marking their 400th Test, as they won a crucial toss and were given a rock solid start against the West Indies, who entered the Test with three seamers and two spinners.

Pakistan gave Test caps to middle-order batsman Babar Azam and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

Azhar was given a lifeline when Leon Johnson failed to hold onto a sharp chance at gully off Cummins on 17.

West Indian captain Holder brought on his part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite in the 15th over and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo in the 21st but there were no signs of spin.

Score Board

Pakistan won toss 

Pakistan 1st innings

Sami Aslam b Chase  90

Azhar Ali not out       129

Asad Shafiq not out   10

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 1, nb 5) 9

Total (1 wicket; 76 overs)    238

To bat: Babar Azam, *Misbah-ul-Haq, †Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan

Fall: 1-215

Bowling: Gabriel 11-1-50-0 (5nb); Cummins 14-2-50-0 (1w); Holder 12-4-19-0; Brathwaite 5-1-16-0; Bishoo 14.4-3-40; Chase 20-2-60-1

West Indies team 

KC Brathwaite, L R Johnson, D M Bravo, M N Samuels, J Blackwood, R L Chase, †S O Dowrich, *J O Holder, D Bishoo, M L Cummins, S T Gabriel

Test debuts: Babar Azam and Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)

Umpires: R K Illingworth (England) and P R Reiffel (Australia). TV umpire: M A Gough (England).

Match referee: J J Crowe (New Zealand)