PAK v WI, 1st Test review: Darren Bravo's resistance goes in vain as Pakistan clinches win

In spite of the tables turning rather significantly, the Pakistanis completed the win in the first PAK v WI Test at Dubai. Incidentally, the match turned out to be their 400th match, something that Pakistan will take great pride in securing the victory. The resistance from Darren Bravo was something that impressed one and all but it proved to be a bridge too far as Pakistan went on to complete the 56-run victory.

The day began in perhaps the worst note as far as the West Indies was concerned. A prod outside off-stump saw Mohammad Amir dismiss Marlon Samuels in the first delivery of the day. The wicket, clearly catching the Windies off guard saw the visitors suddenly change their tactics.

They were not going for the win anymore. Darren Bravo was steadfast in defense as the overs kept chipping away. He was joined in by Jermaine Blackwood who also did away with his aggressive approach to the game and batted with a stern sensibility, something he had seldom shown in recent times.

However, a loss in concentration shortly after the drinks break saw Blackwood lose his wicket. Roston Chase, the man who led the Windes to safety in the second Test against India in the previous Test series, it was quite clear that there was a massive price on his wicket.

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Needless to say, Chase and Bravo began to counter the siege and barrages of the Pakistan spin bowlers, something that they impressed quite a bit in. They batted right through the second session of proceedings as the Pakistanis had little or no answers to the impressive batsmanship shown.

Darren Bravo went ahead and reached his well-deserved century, something that was most certainly expected by one and all. However, it was Yasir Shah, Pakistan’s seemingly fallen hero who made the vital breakthrough as he broke the partnership by removing Roston Chase.

Wahab Riaz then steamed in as he removed the irresistible Shane Dowrich as the win looked well and truly in sight for the Pakistanis. Jason Holder was the only one to show some sort of resistance as he remained unbeaten on a fighting 40 as Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, and Shannon Gabriel were dismissed within a blink of an eye.

Interestingly, the final two wickets came with both players being run out by Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed. Courtesy of this, Pakistan went ahead and secured a 1-0 lead in the first PAK v WI Test match.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan, 1st innings: 579/3

West Indies, 1st innings: 357 all out

Pakistan, 2nd innings: 123 all out

West Indies, 2nd innings: 289 all out (DM Bravo 116; M Amir 3/63)

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