PORT OF SPAIN: Justin Greaves produced a composed unbeaten half-century to guide the West Indies to a strong position on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan, despite the visitors claiming five wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday.
The hosts ended the day on 239-5 in 74 overs, with Greaves unbeaten on 63 off 125 deliveries, including eight fours. Captain Roston Chase provided solid support with an unbeaten 36, as the pair shared an unbroken century partnership to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers.
After electing to bat first, the West Indies reached 49-1 in a rain-affected opening session limited to just 9.5 overs. Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was dismissed for 15 after fast bowler Mohammad Ali gave Pakistan an early breakthrough.
The hosts recovered through Brandon King and Kevlon Hodge before left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed his maiden Test wicket by removing King for an attacking 46, an innings featuring nine boundaries.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan then dismissed Hodge for 10 to leave the West Indies under pressure.
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Amir Jangoo and Shai Hope steadied the innings with a 29-run partnership before debutant Ubaid Shah celebrated his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Jangoo for 26.
Hope continued to score fluently, but Mohammad Ali struck again to remove the right-hander for 39, ending a valuable 50-run stand with Greaves.
Greaves then took control of the innings, reaching his third Test fifty with a patient knock and combining with Chase in an unbeaten partnership that carried the West Indies beyond the 200-run mark.
Although Pakistan enjoyed encouraging spells through Mohammad Ali, Sajid Khan and the two debutants, the Greaves-Chase stand ensured the hosts finished the opening day in control as they look to secure a series sweep.
