Tea Pakistan 125 for 2 (Babar 47*, Younis 22*) trail by West Indies 286 (Chase 63, Holder 57*, Dowrich 56, Amir 6-44) 161 runs
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Jason Holder removed Ahmed Shehzad lbw © AFP
It wouldn’t be Younis Khan if it was going to come easily. Perhaps a reflection as much of the tortured genius he gives off the impression of being, Pakistan’s most prolific run-scorer went in for tea with 9999 career runs after a session where runs were a scarce commodity, but whether he will be able to get any sort of beverage down his throat is anyone’s guess.
Younis and Babar Azam hung around gamely in the face of a disciplined West Indies bowling attack, ensuring they went in to tea having suffered no more setbacks. Pakistan’s progress continued at its sedate pace after the restart, slowing down further, if anything; the session run rate was often hovering around 1.50 an over before picking up towards the last five overs or so.
It took Younis 48 minutes and ten overs across two sessions to so much as get off the mark as the West Indian pacemen employed a consistent off stump line and good length in otherwise unhelpful bowling conditions. Babar and Younis were equal to it, not about to throw their wickets away playing false shots, and consequently the session took on the feel of a stalemate.
There were times off legspinner Devendra Bishoo’s bowling when both batsmen looked to release the pressure that had been inexorably building up, with varying success. Younis heaved at a googly and nearly got himself out in the process, while Babar was more effective when he went after the spinner, his sweep carrying for six, and perhaps rousing the few spectators stationed down there from their slumber.
Younis appeared to be supremely unhurried for the most part, seemingly oblivious to the bated breath with which his milestone was being awaited. After that moment of indiscipline he retreated into his shell, and most of the runs that came his way thereafter were in the form of the odd single.
The day had started with Mohammad Amir wrapping up the home side’s innings, which had stretched on interminably owing to a combination of uncooperative weather and a wagging tail. They came out nine wickets down, and Amir needed just nine deliveries to account for Shannon Gabriel. It was almost a replica of the ball that did for Alzarri Joseph yesterday, angling in to Gabriel from around the wicket to crash into the middle stump and giving Amir his career best bowling figures.
Pakistan were dealt an early blow when Azhar Ali, indisputably their best batsmen of late, fell to a short wide delivery from Joseph that he will rue flashing at. It caught the edge and Shane Dowrich took a smart catch behind the wicket, but from Pakistan’s point of view it will have felt like a wicket gifted. Ahmed Shahzad fell soon after, as a Jason Holder delivery nipped in late to strike him on the back leg, bring Younis and Babar together to continue the go-slow they employed throughout the middle session.
The most noteworthy moment of the second session had come in its very first over when Babar drove a low full toss from Holder straight back to him. The lanky Holder got his left hand down in remarkably quick time, but the ball popped out just before he could get his other hand across. It was a compelling start to a session that, as a whole, even the most colourful raconteur would struggle to imbue with excitement.
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo