Port of Spain, 2 August: West Indies batters made visitors—Pakistan bowlers—grind on day one of the second and final match of the two-match Test series, piling up 239-5 on a rain hit day at Port of Spain.
Allrounder Justin Greaves was unbeaten on 64* and skipper Roston Chase not out on 36* at stumps, as Pakistan bowlers failed to put pressure on the West Indies’ batting lineup.
Mohammad Ali was the most successful pacer for Pakistan, claiming 49-2 in 17 overs. He dismissed opening batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul (15) and top batter Shai Hope (29).
Pakistan made four changes to the playing XI, one of them was forced due to injury to Shan Masood.
Strangely, the selectors dropped in-form seamer Mohammad Abbas, with Babar Azam citing “conditions”.
Another pacer Khurram Shahzad and all-rounder Aamer Jamal also didn’t make the cut.
Instead, Pakistan selectors strengthened their batting department, recalling Abdullah Shafique to replace Shan Masood, who’s out due to a fractured finger.
They also retained Imam-ul-Haq and Awais Azan at the top, followed by Abdullah Shafique as one drop, skipper Babar Azam at four, followed by wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha at five and six batting positions respectively.
Additionally, allrounder Awais Zafar will play at seven and Ali Usman at eight. Then, Ubaid Shah, spinner Sajid Khan and pacer Mohammad Ali.
West Indies side remained unchanged.
Their bowling lineup has reliable and experienced pacer Kemar Roach, young pace bowling sensation Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, allrounder Justin Greaves and also spinner Jomel Warrican. Roston Chase can also roll his arm over as an off-spinner.
West Indies are leading 1-0 after winning the first test played at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.
