akistan v West Indies – Day 2 – Second Test Summary

After a disastrous first day, when the tourists found themselves in trouble, struggling to score 194 runs for 9 at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts, Pakistan finally had a productive break on the second day of the second Test, due to which the hosts are now trailing by 88 runs with just two wickets in hand.
It was the defiant last wicket stand of 78 runs between spinner Saeed Ajmal and pacer Tanvir Ahmed which actually redeemed some of the grace which the tourists had been stripped off on the first day.
Both Ajmal and Tanvir exhibited some fine strokes as Darren Sammy’s men were frustrated every time the duo scored.
While the hosts were in a hurry to wrap the innings up, Tanvir and Ajmal had other plans, at one point is seemed like the two would continue to bat for the whole day.
However, the Pakistan innings finally came to an end after Tanvir was adjudged leg-before wicket on a delivery bowled by Devendra Bishoo.
Tanvir, a lower-order batsman, played a phenomenal 57-run knock while Ajmal remained unbeaten on 23 runs.
At the end of their innings, the tourists managed to post 272 runs on the board, giving the bowlers a fighting chance.
Pakistan made early inroads by sending West Indies opener, Lendl Simmons, back to the pavilion on nil.
The batsman, who had troubled Pakistan during the five-match One-Day series, was removed by Tanvir as he edged a catch to Taufeeq Umar at second slip.
Simmons’ opening partner, Kraigg Brathwaite, contributed 15 runs in the total tally before losing his wicket against some superb bowling by Pakistan. He was also caught in the second slip by Taufeeq.
The West Indies veteran, Ramnaresh Sarwan, was removed by Pakistan’s spin magician, Saeed Ajmal. Sarwan ended up getting stumped by wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, after scoring 20 runs off 32 deliveries.
In the 31^st over, Pakistan’s inform all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez, made Darren Bravo edge a catch straight to Asad Shafiq at second slip, effectively bringing an end to a 24-run knock.
At the end of the 31^st over, the hosts were 95 for 4, giving plenty to the Pakistan squad to cheer about.
However, it was the brave 57-run inning played by Marlon Samuels, which finally showed that there are batsmen in the Caribbean capable of playing spin. Samuels faced the spin onslaught of the Pakistan bowlers with zeal and technique.
Samuels however, lost his wicket as he tried to go after Saeed Ajmal but instead of reaching the boundary, the ball was caught by Taufeeq Umar. He was clearly shocked to see Taufeeq hold on to a difficult catch when easier catches had been dropped by Pakistan in the day.
Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul were still batting on 10 and 15 runs at the end of the days play.
The Windies have made 184 for the loss of 8 wickets and will resume play on the third day.