Guyana Test: Ajmal, Rehman put West Indies in spin – Highlights
GUYANA: Pakistani spinners got the red cherry to talk for them at Providence Park in Guyana on Thursday as West Indian batsmen failed to cope with the spin on opening day of the first Test match of the two-match series.
Saeed Ajmal. Courtesy: Getty Images
Right-arm orthodox off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm off-spinner Abdur Rehman never allowed the West Indian batsmen to get settled against them and left the hosts at 209 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
Lendl Simmons (49 runs from 130 balls – 3 fours, 1 six) was the top-scorer for the hosts as he once again looked the only batsman feeling comfortable against Pakistan’s fast and spin bowlers. However, a quick delivery by Wahab Riaz rapped him on the pad missing the foam and he had to retire hurt when West Indies were looking good at 81 for two.
Lendl Simmons. Courtesy: Getty Images
Misbah-ul-Haq played a master stroke by opening the bowling with Umar Gul and Mohammad Hafeez considering the fact that West Indian openers have found life gough against the off-spin bowler. His trick soon paid off with Devon Smith (13 from 26 – 1 four) was bowled by Hafeez.
Darren Bravo (25 from 85 – 2 fours) then joined Lendl Simmons and both played well during 56 runs second wicket partnership before Wahab Riaz caugh Bravo plumb in front.
Ravi Rampaul. Courtesy: Getty Images
Soon the left-armer sent the opening batsman back in the hut in an injured condition. Ramnaresh Sarwan (23 from 79 – 2 fours) then joined forces with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (27 from 83 – 4 fours) and added 46 runs during their partnership before Abdur Rehman got Sarwan’s scalp on his favorite cut shot with wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman making no mistake.
Bowling in tandem, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman kept up the pressure and during the process Ajmal got rid of Brendon Nash (5 from 10 – 1 four) and then Carlton Baugh (4 from 15 – 1 four) before Rehman struck again with wicket of West Indian captain Darren Sammy (12 from 26 – 1 four, 1 six). Ajmal rapped one on the pads of danger man Simmons in front of the wickets with West Indies struggling at 8/175.
Pakistan cricket team. Courtesy: Getty Images
Mohammad Hafeez then got rid of Ravi Rampaul (14 from 26 – 2 fours) to make West Indies nine down for just 198 runs on the board.
At stumps on Day 1, West Indies had lost their nine wickets for 209 runs with Kemar Roach (16 not out from 49 – 2 fours) and debutant Devendra Bishoo (10 not out from 14 – 1 four) were still at the crease.
Saeed Ajmal proved to be the most successful bowler for Pakistan as he captured four wickets for just 63 runs. Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez also bowled really well as they secured figures of 2/46 and 2/22 respectively.
Misbah-ul-Haq used his spinners for 68 overs from the total 90 overs on Day 1 thus showing good presence of mind by reading the pitch and using his spinners to his advantage, a thing which was missing during the One Day Internationals.
Match Summary
West Indies at Stumps Day 1 9/209 after 90 overs
Lendl Simmons 49 Saeed Ajmal 4/63
S ChanderPaul 27 M Hafeez 2/22
Darren Bravo 25 Abdur Rehman 2/46
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