DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Darren Bravo battled manfully – a near flawless innings which gave West Indies great hope throughout the final day of the first Test – but the visitors still went under to Pakistan by 56 runs in the opening match of the Haier Cup Test series.
The left-hander scored a wonderful 116 but when he left the West Indies hopes faded on the fifth and final night of what was a thrilling first Test match for both team with the pink ball at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Bravo departed in the final session- brilliantly caught and bowled by Yasir Shah diving to his left with the Windies still 87 away from the winning mark of 346 runs.
Although skipper Jason Holder tried to keep things together, the visitors folded for 289 – losing the match, making it seven straight losses across all formats against the Pakistanis on this tour. Holder was left 40 not out and West Indies lost their last two wickets – tail Enders Miguel Cummins and Shannon Gabriel, via the run out route.
Summarized scores:
PAKISTAN 579 for three decl. (Azhar Ali 302 not out, Sami Aslam 90, Babar Azam 69, Asad Shafiq 67; Devendra Bishoo 2-125) and 123 (Sami Aslam 44, Babar Azam 21; Devendra Bishoo 8-49)
WEST INDIES 357 (Darren Bravo 87, Marlon Samuels 76, Jermaine Blackwood 37, Kraigg Brathwaite 32, Shane Dowrich 22; Yasir Shah 5-121, Mohammad Nawaz 2-38, Wahab Riaz 2-65) and 289 (Darren Bravo 116, Leon Johnson 47, Jason Holder 40 not out, Roston Chase 35; Mohammad Amir 3-63, Mohammad Nawaz 2-32, Yasir Shah 2-113)