Justin Greaves struck an unbeaten half century as West Indies made a gradual begin to the second Check towards Pakistan. Picture: AFP
PORT OF SPAIN:
Justin Greaves made an unbeaten 64 to steer West Indies to 239-5 at stumps on a rain-shortened opening day of the second and last Check towards Pakistan in Trinidad on Sunday.
After a match-winning show with the ball within the first Check final week, Greaves displayed what has now change into his trademark ease and composure on the crease in a battling knock at Queen’s Park Oval.
His solely error of judgement got here simply after reaching the half-century mark when opposing captain Babar Azam put down a simple probability at leg-slip off spinner Sajid Khan.
Greaves at the moment was nearly hobbling after a left leg harm sustained whereas finishing a pointy run that necessitated prolonged remedy on the sphere.
His sixth-wicket partnership with Roston Chase (36 not out) was value 66 runs on the shut of play and Greaves shall be hoping for a return to his typical athletic mobility when he resumes the innings along with his captain on the second morning.
He had come to the crease in mid-afternoon at 91 for 3 as Kavem Hodge grew to become Khan’s first wicket. When Amir Jangoo fell to a leg-side catch to present debutant pacer Ubaid Shah his first Check wicket with the primary ball of a brand new spell, Pakistan sensed the prospect to interrupt the again of the West Indies resistance.
Nonetheless Greaves and Shai Hope offered a measure of stability in a 53-run stand till seamer Mohammad Ali, probably the most spectacular of the bowlers on the day, bowled Hope off the inside-edge for 29 to go away the innings within the stability at 173 for 5.
Pakistan omit Abbas
Earlier, Pakistan’s bewildering decision-making – on and off the sphere of play – highlighted a rain-affected morning session.
Mohammad Abbas, the vacationers’ finest bowler by a long way from the 90-run defeat within the first Check, was dropped regardless of a match haul of eight for 85, together with 5 for 22 within the second innings.
A second Pakistani debutant, Awais Zafar, obtained his probability as a result of finger harm sustained by former captain Shan Masood whereas compiling a decided century within the first Check.
Pakistan’s think-tank appeared satisfied of the knowledge of taking part in an extra sluggish bowler on a floor devoid of grass, drafting in Khan as an off-spinning choice alongside left-arm orthodox bowler Ali Usman, who went wicketless on debut within the first Check.
Khan’s first notable act within the match was to take the catch at long-leg which despatched Tagenarine Chanderpaul to the pavilion for 15 as he failed to regulate a hook shot off Mohammad Ali after a brisk opening stand of 49 with Brandon King.
“We would have liked these partnerships on the finish of the day and it was good to see these guys (Greaves, Hope and Chase) making these contributions,” stated King in summing up the day’s effort.
“It could be good if we get extra of the identical from them tomorrow and Justin and Roston can go on to get tons of.”
As simply because the runs flowed, particularly off King’s bat, within the early exchanges after Chase opted to bat first, each may have been dismissed earlier with extra attacking techniques as they every benefited from edges at catchable peak by means of the vacant third slip place.
Mohammad Ali was even pleading with Babar for added assist within the slip cordon following the third of these lucky escapes.
King’s luck ran out although following the 90-minute rain break as Usman snared him for his first Check wicket, leg-before for 46.
