Published: Oct 15, 2016, 03:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 16, 2016, 05:52 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates post of the third day’s play in the opening Test between Pakistan and West Indies. The first-ever day-night Test for these two teams that have extremely rich cricketing history, is however, being held at a venue away from their homes. Pakistan and West Indies are involved in action at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, where the Asian team has been hosting their home matches since a very long time. Irrespective of the fact that Pakistan are playing away from home, there is no difference in their performances, as they have continued to dominate the West Indies team. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st Test at Dubai
It is the first-ever Test being played with the pink cricket ball for both Pakistan and West Indies, but their batsmen, by the look of it, have only made merry. Pakistan’s right-handed batting mainstay Azhar Ali has become the fourth batsman from his country to smash a triple century, which is also the first by any with the match being played with the pink cricket ball. Azhar’s innings of 302 not out has fired Pakistan to a massive first-innings total of 579 for 3 declared, and by the time play ended on the second day, they remained in firm control.
At stumps on the second day, West Indies had replied firmly by reaching 69 for 1, as they trail by a mammoth margin of 510 runs in the first innings. The pitch has remained true to the batsmen so far in this game, which means, that the Pakistani bowlers will have their task cut out for them. The only wicket which West Indies lost was of Leon Johnson, who was dismissed leg-before by Pakistani spinner Yasir Shah.
Kraigg Brathwaite, who showed immense application and promise in the four-Test series against India in the Caribbean sometime ago, has batted so far in the same passion. Brathwaite has faced 71 balls and struck 4 boundaries to score 32. But all eyes will be on the left-handed Darren Bravo, who has been on and off as far as run-making is concerned. An extremely talented batsman, Bravo has not been consistent to West Indies’ liking, but this flat deck at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will help him get an elusive big innings.
Talking about Pakistan’s first innings, it was Azhar all the way as the right-hander created history. Azhar faced as many as 469 balls to score 302 not out, and as soon as he crossed the triple-century mark the hosts declared their innings. Azhar clobbered as many as 23 boundaries and 2 sixes in his innings. However, he was not the only performer in the Pakistani innings as opener Sami Aslam missed out by 10 runs to score a century, being dismissed for 90 runs. Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam were both dismissed by the leg-spinner from the West Indies, Devendra Bishoo. While Shafiq scored 67 off 118 balls with 8 boundaries, Azam continued to make merry against West Indies, smashing 69 off 105 balls with the help of 5 boundaries.
The live cricket scores and ball-by-ball commentary of the Pakistan versus West Indies first Test, Day Three can be followed on this website. Pakistan will aim to take a few early wickets on Day Three in order to rattle the Caribbean side, and set themselves for a victory by a huge margin.
LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD & BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY: Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st Test at Dubai
