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Trinidad: Pakistan’s bowlers claimed five wickets on a rain-affected opening day of the second Test, before an unbeaten 66-run partnership between Justin Greaves and Roston Chase helped West Indies reach 239 for five at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Mohammad Ali led Pakistan’s bowling effort with two wickets, while Sajid Khan, Ali Usman and debutant Ubaid Shah picked up one wicket each. Greaves remained unbeaten on 64 alongside West Indies captain Chase, who was not out on 36 when bad light brought play to an early close after 74 overs.
After West Indies opted to bat, openers Brandon King and Tagenarine Chanderpaul took the score to 49 inside the opening 10 overs.
Pakistan secured their first breakthrough on the final delivery before a rain interruption when Chanderpaul pulled Mohammad Ali towards fine leg, where Sajid completed the catch. The weather delay resulted in an early lunch, with the hosts positioned at 49 for one.
Pakistan’s spinners found assistance from the surface after the resumption. Ali Usman, bowling in tandem with Sajid, trapped King leg-before for 46 following a successful review by Pakistan. King struck nine fours during his 50-ball innings.
Sajid then accounted for Kavem Hodge, who was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan for 10. The on-field decision was overturned after another successful Pakistan review, reducing West Indies to 91 for three.
Amir Jangoo and Shai Hope attempted to rebuild the innings, but Ubaid claimed his maiden Test wicket when Jangoo edged a delivery down the leg side to Rizwan. The wicket left West Indies at 120 for four.
Hope and Greaves added 53 runs for the fifth wicket and guided the hosts to 165 for four at tea.
The tourists broke the partnership shortly after tea when Hope dragged a ball from Ali onto his stumps for 29. The wicket was Ali’s second of the innings and left the hosts at 173 for five.
Greaves completed his half-century from 92 balls and finished the day with eight fours in his unbeaten 125-ball innings. Chase supported him with five boundaries as the pair added an unbroken 66 runs for the sixth wicket.
Right-arm fast Ali returned figures of two for 49 from 17 overs, including five maidens. Ali Usman conceded 64 runs from 25 overs, while Sajid returned one for 55 from 22 overs. Ubaid finished with one for 56 on his Test debut.
Awais Zafar and Ubaid Shah were presented with their Test caps before the start of play.
Scores in brief:
Second Test – Day 1 of 5
West Indies 239-5, 74 overs (Justin Greaves 64 not out, Brandon King 46, Roston Chase 36 not out, Shai Hope 29, Amir Jangoo 26; Mohammad Ali 2-49)
