Pakistan dig in against West Indies

Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan hit half-centuries as Pakistan recovered from a slow start to reach 230 for five against West Indies after the first day of the first Test on Thursday.

Younis Khan scored 53 while Youhana was unbeaten on 78 at the close of play after Pakistan had been reduced to 94 for four at one stage.

Youhana, in particular, provided solidity to the innings during his 84-run stand for the fifth wicket with Abdur Razzaq (34).

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan faltered early on against a tight West Indies attack spearheaded by Mervyn Dillon and skipper Carl Hooper, who chipped in with two wickets each.

Maintaining a tight line and length on an untested wicket, paceman Dillon made an early breakthrough, trapping debutant Naveed Latif for a duck.

Naveed, a surprise inclusion at the expense of flamboyant Shahid Afridi, looked out of sorts during his short six-ball stay at the crease.

Opener Taufeeq Omar and Younis Khan then dug in to see off the early overs but just before the lunch break Hooper bowled Taufeeq for 24 to give the West Indies the upper hand after the first session, with Pakistan 45 for two.

After lunch Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq painstakingly took the score to 80 before Dillon struck to remove Inzamam for 10.

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The batsman, beaten in the previously delivery, went for a big drive but edged the ball to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs.

Younis Khan completed his half-century with a four off Cameron Cuffy but departed soon after, snicking his intended square cut off Hooper to Chris Gayle in the slips.

Yousuf Youhana and Abdur Razzaq then applied themselves effectively in the final session to provide some respectability to the Pakistan score.

Playing balls on merit, the two middle order batsmen paced their innings well and punished loose deliveries with fours.

But just when Razzaq appeared well set, he edged a drive to wicketkeeper Jacobs off Wavel Hinds with the score at 178.

Youhana, dropped by Cameron Cuffy at mid-on off Dillon at 70, made the most of his good fortune by hoisting the paceman for six in the same over.

At close of play Youhana was unbeaten on 78 off 165 balls with eight fours and one six while Rashid Latif was 27 not out.

Youhana, playing his 36th Test, is just 22 runs away from his ninth century.

The Pakistan Cricket Board was forced to shift the series, comprising two Tests and three one-day internationals, to Sharjah after West Indies refused to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns.

But the series has failed to generate any excitement with just a few dozen fans turning up to watch the first ever test match at the 22,000-capacity stadium.

Mail Cricket Editor