Pakistan vs West Indies 2017: 1st Test - Day 3, 5 Talking Points
Helped by fine half-centuries from Younis Khan and Babar Azam, Pakistan made a formidable start to their first innings against West Indies at Sabina Park on day 3. Despite losing Azhar Ali cheaply, Azam and Younis, who crossed the 10,000 run landmark in the process, pulled them back into the game before Shannon Gabriel struck twice to remove both batsmen. Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq thereafter led Pakistan to 201/4 at stumps.
Earlier, Mohammad Amir completed a six-wicket haul to bowl out West Indies for 286. Despite skipper, Jason Holder smashing another one of his entertaining half-centuries on Day 2, Amir chipped away at the other end.
West Indies will hope to tackle Misbah and Shafiq with a new ball 10 overs into day 4. Having lost a near full day yesterday, a result in this Test would need some exceptional performances from one of these two teams.
Brief Scores: West Indies 286/10; Pakistan 201/4 (Azam 72, Younis 58, Gabriel 2/37)
Here are the major talking points from day 3 at Sabina Park, Kingston.
#5 Mohammad Amir of old back?
Mohammad Amir completed a six-wicket haul on day 3 and looked like the kind of bowler he was before he walked away from the game. The ripe banana swing was back as was his pace throttling near the 145 mark consistently.
He had the Windies top order hopping and confused with his movement through the air and off the seam. Amir was swinging it both ways and some of his dismissals were completely planned out in the mind before executed to perfection.
Amir's form is especially good news for the Pakistan ODI side set to play the Champions Trophy a month and a half later in England. Conditions will suit his style of bowling and it could make Pakistan a good shout for the ‘dark horse’ tag.