Younis Khan(127) and Misbah Ul Haq (90), the two old guns of Pakistan yet again showed their supremacy, as Pakistan scored 304/4 on the day 1 of the second Test against West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Captain, Misbah Ul Haq won the toss and with no surprise he decided to bat first. On a flat wicket of day 1, West Indies did fight hard but the man-in-form ,Younis Khan just stole the show. He missed the first Test after not been able to recover from dengue fever but ,showed his class in the second test.
Replacing Babar Azam, Younis Khan played in his traditional style as he found the gaps with ease. He played his trademark sweep with much ease. He scored 127 of 205 balls with 10 fours and 1 six. Although there were few scars on his way, as Jermaine Blackwood dropped him in the 45th over of Roston Chase. Just before the tea, Kraigg Brathwaite also dropped a simple chance of caught and bowled but the veteran eventually got to him as Chase pouched him at midwicket. The bad light then spoiled the day's play and umpire had to call the stumps on day 1.
On the other end, his partner in crime, Misbah Ul Haq also scored 90 of 146 delievries with 4 fours and 2 sixes. He remained not out at the ends of day's play and will be looking to reach the three figure-mark tomorrow.
Although, the start for Pakistan was not good as the speedy Shannon Gabriel made the new ball talk. The triple centurion from the last test, Azhar Ali (0), was not able to get off the mark as he was cleaned up by Gabriel with an inswinger. His opening partner, Sami Aslam (6), was very watchful with the new ball but he was cleaned up by Devendra Bishoo who extracted a huge turn from round the wicket and bowled him.
Then, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq (68) steadied the ship as the later intially scored with a good pace but was eventually cleaned up by Shannon Gabriel.
The pick of the bowlers for the West Indies was Shannon as he hit good line and lenghts and scalped two wickets. Devendra Bishoo and Kraigg Brathwaite also got 1-1 wickets.
Pakistan made three changes as Mohammad Aamir was replaced by Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz was replaced by Zulfiqar Babar. The in form debutant, Babar Azam also was dropped as Younis Khan was fit to play. On the other hand, West Indies were forced to make one change as Shane Dowrich was not fit. He was replaced by Shai Hope.
Brief Score: Pakistan: 304/4 ( Younis Khan 127, Misbah Ul Haq 90*, Shannon Gabriel 2-43)
