West Indies hold the edge, resume on 194/3 against Pakistan today

West Indies hold the edge, resume on 194/3 against Pakistan

The West Indies will resume their first innings today on 194/3 on Day 2 of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Qaim Hodge starred for the hosts with an unbeaten 83, guiding the West Indies to a strong position at stumps after rain disrupted the opening day’s play.

For Pakistan, fast bowler Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets to keep the visitors in the contest.

The match, being played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, was heavily affected by rain. Only 14.1 overs were possible in the first session, during which the West Indies scored 23 runs for the loss of one wicket.

Mohammad Abbas dismissed Brandon King for 12 runs. Play resumed after a rain delay that extended half an hour beyond the lunch break.

Qaim Hodge and Chanderpaul added 51 runs for the second wicket before Chanderpaul was dismissed for 21. Hodge then shared a 42-run partnership with Amir Jangoo, who scored 21 before becoming Mohammad Abbas’s second victim of the innings.

Hodge and captain Shai Hope then steadied the innings with an unbroken 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking the West Indies to 194/3 at stumps. During the partnership, Hodge brought up a well-deserved half-century and finished the day unbeaten on 83, while Hope remained not out on 39.

Mohammad Abbas finished the day with two wickets, while Amir Jamal claimed one. Meanwhile, 33-year-old left-arm spinner Ali Usman made his Test debut for Pakistan.

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