PAK vs WI, 2nd Test Day 1 Review: Younis and Misbah humble West Indies bowling

It was time for the second test match in the ongoing series between Pakistan and West Indies as the visitors looked to level the series after a brilliant comeback in the last test that saw them almost snatch a win fron the jaws of defeat.

However, what they had to put through was a flat wicket in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, a brilliant Pakistani batting lineup, some clueless bowling from the spinners and oh, did I mention the flat wickets?? All of that is a recipe for a run feast, wouldn’t you say?

So, it all started earlier in the day when Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first on a hot and sunny day in Abu Dhabi. The West Indian fans would be forgiven if they dreaded the repeat of the first innings of the previous test match, but they don’t say it’s a funny game for nothing!

Shannon Gabriel started the proceedings for the visitors and took no time in disturbing the timber of the Triple Centurion of last game, Azhar Ali, that too for a duck. A sigh of relief on the face of Jason Holder and Co. which changed into ecstasy later on when Sami Aslam got cleaned up by Bishoo, adding just 6 runs to his tally. This was the start that Windies wanted if they had to get back into the series and they got just that, but little did the visitors knew they were in for a masterclass from Younis Khan!

The 38-year-old, who was back in the side at the expense of Babar Azam, came in at no. 4 with Pakistan reeling at 42-2. With the ever dependable Asad Shafiq on his side, Younis started to rebuild the innings by putting up an impressive 87 runs partnership with his younger partner.

Asad Shafiq, who missed a well-deserved century in the last game looked on course to a brilliant century this time around but unfortunately, he chopped one off of Shannon Gabriel at 68. Oh, the agony of missing the three-figure score again!

In walked Misbah-Ul-Haq, the Pakistani Captain with the game well poised at 129-3. A wicket here and West Indies would have had an upper hand in this game, but we are talking about two of the best players in the world here with a combined age of 80 years! You don’t get that kind of experience on sale in the supermarkets!

The duo took charge of the proceeding from here on and dazzled the few onlookers and the millions watching on TV with a flurry of shots, quite literally humbling the West Indies bowling lineup with their impressive play. It wasn’t much later when Younis Khan brought on his 33rd Test ton to cap off his wonderful performance.

The spin trio of Bishoo, Brathwaite and Roston Chase were consistently smacked out of the park with all of them conceding runs at above 4 runs per over, while the fast bowlers barring Shannon Gabriel, failed to impress on a dead pitch.

With the close of days plays near, the duo of Younis and Misbah decided to up the ante, as the visitors looked tired and given up by now. However, a loss in concentration from Younis Khan cost his wicket in what would be the final bowl of the innings as Umpires decided to call it a day due to bad light. Again, that disappointment on the face of Younis!

With Misbah still unbeaten at 90 and close to his 11th Test ton and the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Rizwan still to come, Pakistan are well and truly ahead after Day One. West Indies will need to get a couple of early wickets tomorrow morning if they are to get back into the thick of the things here. The second Day promises to be a good one. Stay tuned!

Brief Score:

Pakistan, 1st innings: 304-4 (Younis Khan 127, Misbah 90* ; S Gabriel 2/43)