West Indies vs Pakistan 2017, 2nd Test: Day 1, 5 talking points
West Indies jumped from a precarious 154/6 to 286/6 at stumps on Day 1 at Bridgetown, courtesy a spectacular hundred from Roston Chase and his 132 run stand with skipper, Jason Holder. The hosts had won the toss and opted to bat on a slow surface, hoping to rack up some early runs.
Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Abbas put a rest to that with an incisive opening spell that included the wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite. At 37/3, West Indies looked well and truly out but Kieran Powell and Chase steadied the ship a bit. Amir returned to york Powell and Abbas had Vishaul Singh early to signal the death toll for the Windies.
But a back injury to Yasir Shah and listless bowling from the debutant Shadab Khan meant that Chase and Holder worked their way into the Pakistani attack. With a bowler almost down, the visitors failed to garner enough energy to break through with a wicket. The pair remained unbeaten on a stand of 132 that is quickly changing the game around.
Brief Scores: West Indies 286/6 (Chase 131, Holder 58, Abbas 2/47)
Here are the major talking points from the game.
#5 Amir-Abbas continue to impress as a pair
Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Abbas had proved their potential as an opening pair in Tests with some exceptional spells in Kingston. Two bowlers with rather different qualities, Amir and Abbas has made life difficult for the Windies top order so far.
While Amir had Brathwaite fishing outside the off-stump with some smart piece of bowling, Abbas did the same to Shimron Hetmyer, who had no clue to what was coming at him.
Even when West Indies looked like regaining a hold with a fourth wicket stand, it was Amir who returned to trap Powell in front. Abbas soon followed him with the wicket of Vishaul Singh.