PAK v WI, 1st Test, Day 1 Review: Azhar Ali creates history as Pakistan make headway

Day one of the first PAK v WI Test match saw Pakistan ODI skipper Azhar Ali create a bit of history after he became the first batsman to score a century against the pink ball. While this bit of history was created, the significance of playing under lights and with the pink ball added its little bit of history for both Pakistan and the West Indies, it is clear that the ‘Death of Test Cricket’ is certainly a massive overstatement.

The afternoon began with Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam taking center stage after their evergreen skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bat first. Babar Azam, the man who had impressed in the ODI series had been handed a Test debut along with all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

The West Indies fielded a formidable pace attack consisting of Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins, and skipper Jason Holder. However, as has been the case, for the most part, the wicket in Dubai was a bit dry. This meant that the pacers would have to put in the extra effort to get a zip out of the track. Moreover, the fact of the matter remained that spin would play a major role in proceedings.

Sami Aslam began as the aggressor for the Pakistan innings as Azhar Ali seemingly took the back seat in the opening few encounters. However, with both batsmen looking as solid as ever, it seemed quite clear that Jason Holder had to turn to his only spinning option in the form of Roston Chase. Although Chase was the only one to pick a wicket on the day, it seemed as though he too had to work hard to a diabolical wicket.

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The opening pair soon stitched a partnership of 215 for the opening wicket, something that was most certainly unprecedented, given the fact that the Pakistani openers had been in somewhat of a poor run of form of late. As mentioned earlier, Sami Aslam was the only wicket to fall as he was dismissed 10 runs short of a well-deserved Test match century.

However, in spite of the setback, Azhar Ali coasted along to help himself to a well-deserved century. Moreover, a few eyebrows were raised when Asad Shafiq was promoted up the batting order to the number three spot ahead of the in-form Babar Azam. Shafiq helped himself to 33 vital runs as Azhar Ali found himself 4 runs shy of 150. The night concluded with Pakistan at 279/1.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan, 1st innings: 279/1 (Azhar Ali 146*; R Chas 1/63)

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