A 158-run stand between Fawad Alam and Babar Azam helped Pakistan wrestle control of the proceedings at Sabina Park after they lost three wickets inside the first four overs. Pakistan finished Day 1 of the second Test on 212/4, with Faheem Ashraf and Mohammed Rizwan on strike.
The day started on an excellent note for West Indies. Kemar Roach struck in the first over, having Abid Ali caught by Jermaine Blackwood. In the next over, he got rid of Azhar Ali for a six-ball duck. Imran Butt then edged one to Joshua Da Silva off Jayden Seales, and Pakistan found themselves at 2/3.
Roach and Seales were probing in their line and length. Fawad Alam and Babar Azam, the new batters, endured a testing time from both pacers, but appeared comfortable as the innings progressed.
Alzarri Joseph could not sustain the pressure, and tried to overdo things. Babar and Fawad took full advantage, with the former smashing successive boundaries in the 10th over. Fawad, who was a bit more tentative, also opened his arms with three quick fours.
Babar reached his second half-century of the tour with a boundary off Roach. Joseph tried testing Fawad with short-pitched balls, but was punished twice. Fawad completed his fifty, and was on 76 when he had to walk off due to cramps.
Babar, on 75, ended up becoming Roach’s third victim, but Mohammed Rizwan (22) and Faheem Ashraf (23) ensured Pakistan did not lose more wickets in the day.
Brief scores: Pakistan 212/4 (Fawad Alam 76*; Kemar Roach 3-49) vs West Indies