Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test, tea: Pakistan openers frustrate West Indies as Azhar Ali scores fifty

Azhar being the comparative aggressor in this pair scored a brilliant fifty off 103 deliveries – 26th of his career whereas Shehzad, on the other hand, has been the silent one managing to score 40 from 132 deliveries.

Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad partnership has been a frustrating one for West Indies © AFP

Riding on gritty knocks from both openers Azhar Ali (54*) and Ahmed Shehzad (40), Pakistan posted a total of106 against West Indies at the end of the second session of the second Test at Barbados. Azhar being the comparative aggressor in this pair scored a brilliant fifty off 103 deliveries – 26th of his career whereas Shehzad, on the other hand, has been the silent one managing to score 40 from 132 deliveries. But this slow partnership between the two has now put Pakistan in pole position as they trail West Indies by 206 totals with all their 10 wickets intact. In the second session, Pakistan managed to score just 70 runs in the 25 overs bowled. Live Cricket Scorecard, Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test at Barbados

Resuming from the score of 36 for no loss, Azhar and Shehzad continued producing dead bat in from the West Indies pace duo of Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph. They did not take any risks and looked content in defending the balls or letting go anything that was wide. West Indies captain Jason Holder tried shuffling his bowlers at regular intervals to keep the pair guessing for deliveries, but given the cautious approach from the batsmen, none of these changes worked in favour of the hosts.

A ray of sunshine popped up for the hosts when Shehzad was plumb off Gabriel’s bowling and the on-field umpire straight away raised his finger to give the batsman out. But Pakistan opted for a review and the reply showed Gabriel overstepping the line.

This comedy of error took place yet again when wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich stumped Shehzad off Roston Chase’s bowling. Shehzad was miles down the track when he got stumped but the umpire again checked for a no-ball and the replay showed Chase overstepping the crease by a big distance.

With all the 10 wickets in hand, Pakistan are now well set to play the last session of this second day with complete command over it. West Indies, on the other hand, after being frustrated by this partnership will need to rethink their bowling strategy to gain supremacy.

Brief scores:
West Indies 312 (Roston Chase 131, Jason Holder 58; Mohammad Abbas 4 for 56, Mohammad Aamer 3 for 65) lead Pakistan for 106 for 0 (Azhar Ali 54*, Ahmed Shehzad 40*; Jason Holder 0 for 7, Alzarri Joseph 0 for 16) by 276 runs.