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Rizwan was recently named Player of the Series in the T20Is against South Africa

Umar Farooq15-Feb-2021The Multan Sultans have named wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan as their captain for the upcoming Pakistan Super League season. He will replace Shan Masood, who led the franchise to the playoffs last year. Rizwan was previously part of the Karachi Kings, the defending PSL champions, but was picked up by the Multan team in the PSL 2021 draft.”I look forward to leading the Multan Sultans team for the upcoming season,” Rizwan said in a team press release. “I have understood the innovative approach the franchise applied last season and am looking forward to playing my part this season. Multan Sultans had a successful HBL PSL 5 and we will aspire to go even better this time around especially with senior Pakistani players like Shahid Afridi, Shan Masood and Sohail Tanvir.”While revealing the team’s new captain, team owner Alamgir Khan Tareen said: “Rizwan has shown exemplary leadership qualities with the Pakistan team as well as with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in domestic tournaments. We are grateful to Shan Masood for leading the franchise exceptionally well last season and for instilling a winning mentality in the team.”Related

• Rizwan: From being an outlier to Pakistan's main man

• Rizwan learns from Shafiq to make Pakistan No. 6 spot his own

• Azhar Ali and Rizwan exemplify Pakistan's transformed outlook

In the PSL draft last month, Rizwan was, at first, not picked in his original category (diamond) until the Sultans snapped him up in a lower category (silver). He had parted ways with the Kings after an unsuccessful stint when he spent most of his time on the sidelines and hardly got a suitable batting number. He was played as a second-choice wicketkeeper-batsman and batted only 12 times, slotted between Nos. 6 and 8. Last season, he featured in only two matches and got to face just one ball, although his side went on to win the title.Rizwan had failed to reach prominence while Sarfaraz Ahmed was Pakistan’s all-format captain. His career made a remarkable turnaround when he announced himself in England last year to win a Player of the Series award in the Test series. His stocks were further elevated after the New Zealand tour where he stood out although Pakistan lost both games.Before the New Zealand tour, Rizwan had impressed in domestic cricket, in the National T20 tournament. He scored four fifties, including an unbeaten 99 against Central Punjab, which helped him finish as the highest run-scorer, while he also impressed behind the stumps. His diving catch against Sindh, in particular, was a major talking point in the tournament. His tournament tally of 389 runs at 38.90 – and a strike rate of 127.96 – led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the 2020 title.Most recently, Rizwan scored his maiden Test hundred against South Africa. In the T20I series that followed, he played all three games as an opener and struck his maiden T20I century in the first match. He finished as the highest run-scorer while also collecting the Player of the Series award for the T20Is. In the PSL, though, he has batted only 24 times – in 35 matches – with a high score of 50 at a strike rate of 115.94.

Former West Indies feels David Warner should have been given a chance to break his Test record of 400 not-out

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2019Mental health has become a major talking point in cricket of late, with more and more prominent players opening up on the subject. Brian Lara, still the holder of the highest individual score in Test and first-class cricket, is among many to welcome the discussions on the subject, calling mental-health issues “real”, and a “part of all sport”, which “is coming to the fore now with a lot more aggression”.Lara is one of the greats of the game, and his 400 not-out against England in a Test in 2004 and 501 not out in a County Championship game in 1994 remain the top batting efforts in the longer formats of the game. To most outsiders, he was as close to infallible as could be during that period, but Lara, speaking at a charity golf event in Mumbai on Friday, revealed that it was far from smooth sailing for him.”… From the beginning of my international career in 1989 to about 1995, it was on an upward spiral. I don’t think a lot of people will appreciate (but) from 1995-98, it was on a downward spiral,” he was quoted as saying by PTI. “I felt the pressures of being a double world-record holder, (it) played its part and the West Indies team was on its decline.”I remember on occasions where I lay in my room feeling the despair. It [mental health issue] is real, it is part of all sport and it is coming to the fore now with a lot more aggression. Players are at least standing up and saying ‘I need to just remove myself, fight myself and come back again’.”Rachel Trenaman, the Sydney Thunder and New South Wales allrounder, became the latest to ask for time off from the game to focus on her mental health. In just the past few months, England’s Sarah Taylor has retired from the sport at just 30 years of age, and Australians Glenn Maxwell, Will Pucovski and Nic Maddinson all took breaks to address their problems before returning to action.”… The kind of pressures the players are in now, may be before in the 70s and 80s, you played for the love of the game, you played for your country, you loved Test cricket,” Lara said. “With all franchise cricket going on around in the world, the intensity of the game, sometimes is a burden. Guys are playing for England and not playing county cricket, guys are playing for Australia and not playing Sheffield cricket (and) that just tells you how mentally draining it is.”[It’s] something that we should stand up and pay attention to.”Lara’s 400 not-out was under threat just the other day when David Warner hit 335 not-out in just 554 minutes in a Test against Pakistan in Adelaide. There was a lot of time left in the game but with the weather forecast being a bit iffy, Australia decided to declare at that point – Warner had just gone past the 334-run mark of Don Bradman and Mark Taylor – to press for victory. Tim Paine, the Australia captain, has had to answer questions about the declaration since, the argument being that there might have been time for Warner to chase Lara’s record and for Australia to win – victory was achieved well inside four days in the end.”I felt that David Warner should have been given an opportunity to go for it,” Lara said. “I happened to be in Adelaide and I thought it was kind of destiny being there. We do understand, obviously any team, who have forced themselves to a very good position would want to get (give) the opposition a chance (to bat) the second, evening.”I believe records are meant to be broken, even David Warner may have a next chance. He is an attacking player, who can put your team in a winning position.”

Those who hail Sussex’s T20 attack as the best in the world found more evidence for their case as they snuffed out Somerset by 35 runs in the second semi-final

Andrew McGlashan15-Sep-2018
ScorecardLuke Wright will bring up his 300th T20 match in the Blast final after he bulldozed 92 to set up Sussex’s semi-final victory over Somerset. Wright’s 53-ball innings was the highest on a Finals Day and, allied to David Wiese’s 52 off 29 deliveries, powered Sussex most of the way towards their 202 for 7 in a stand of 120 in 10 overs for the fourth wicket.It proved more than enough despite a stand of 84 in 7.2 overs between Tom Abell and Corey Anderson. Sussex would have been getting a little nervous as that pair developed and the partnership was only ended when Danny Briggs got a fingertip on a fierce drive from Anderson with Abell out of his ground. From there the game was closed out as Jofra Archer finished with 3 for 32 and Chris Jordan produced a masterclass of yorkers with a maiden in the 17th over.

“Nice to have two non-Test grounds in the final” – Wright

Luke Wright, Sussex captain: “We’ve still got a big job to do now. To get through to the final is very very special. I feel for Somerset because they’ve been such a great side. There’s a lot of young talent on show, and it’s nice to have two non-Test grounds in the final.”
Lewis Gregory, Somerset captain: “Whoever deals with the pressures and demands on Finals Day tends to come out on top. They put us under a lot of pressure, and on the big stage there’s some clouded thinking – guys don’t quite execute how they have done. You’ve got to take your hats off to them: Wrighty played brilliantly and Wiese at the back end struck it beautifully.
“I’m sure we’ll all sit down and have a beer with Johann Myburgh tonight. He’s been a fantastic player for us and he’s one of the genuinely nice guys you want to have around.”

Sussex’s total could have been north of 230 if it hadn’t been for an impressive finish from Somerset – the last five overs of the innings going for just 25 and there wasn’t a boundary from the last 22 deliveries. Jerome Taylor finished with 4 for 20, but the damage had been done in a mid-innings period in which the 13th and 15th overs went for a combined 58.Jamie Overton, touted for an England red-ball call-up in the near future, was dispatched for 31 and Lewis Gregory taken for 27. Gregory had the chance to atone as part of the good finish, but Overton was left with one over unbowled – his brother, Craig, who wasn’t selected, was seen offered some consoling words on the boundary.Wright was one of the early generation of England cricketers to start spreading their wings around the T20 world. It’s a mark of the riches the national team has in white-ball cricket that he is no longer really part of conversations around those sides. He remains a formidable T20 player and this was a superb innings – laying a base in the early stages, then take the innings by the scruff of the neck himself.His fifty took 34 deliveries then he started to hurtle towards three figures as he and Wiese – who struck a monstrous six onto the third tier of the newest stand at Edgbaston – ripped the Somerset bowling to shreds. Had Wright found eight more runs he would have stood alone in second place on the T20 century-makers list; instead he remains in a group on seven, staring upwards at Chris Gayle’s gargantuan figure of 21 hundreds.”I’d have taken that at the start, for sure,” he told moments after walking off. “We tried to use the wind, it is blowing. I just play when the youngsters are in, then managed to get that over off Overton.”Chris Jordan was outstanding at the death•Getty Images

On missing his hundred, he added: “I don’t have to buy a jug tonight now. Got to save the wallet these days.”When Wright fell – caught at long-off against Anderson who had been called into emergency bowling duties – the innings fell away. Wiese, whose fifty had come off 26 balls, was the second of two wickets in two balls to conclude Taylor’s impressive four overs. It had been an important hand from Wiese because when Delray Rawlins, who had started to find his range against spin, fell Sussex were 73 for 3 in the eighth and the allrounders to come.But any bounce Somerset may have felt having clawed their way back with the ball did not last long. Archer’s pace and bounce accounted for Steven Davies, caught off the shoulder of the bat at point, and then he had Johan Myburgh caught in the covers in what would become his final innings in professional cricket. When James Hildreth fell, Somerset were floundering on 48 for 4 after seven overs.Abell breathed life into the chase as he took 25 off an over from Briggs, but Anderson took time to get going. He was twice given a life on 9 – a missed stumping and a chance to deep square – before depositing consecutive sixes off Wiese to increase the tension. Then came the tip of Briggs’ index finger leaving too much even for the in-form Gregory against the pinpoint yorkers of Jordan.The result continued the rapid downturn of Somerset’s season which over the last two weeks has seen their Championship ambitions fizzle away and now another push for a trophy has come up short. One of the club’s finest collections of players still waits for silverware to show for it.

Afghanistan A will be replacing Australia A, who had pulled out of the tour of South Africa over the ongoing pay dispute with their board

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2017Afghanistan A will join South Africa A and India A to play a seven-match, 50-over tri-series starting on July 26 in Pretoria.Cricket South Africa (CSA) had extended an invitation to the Afghanistan Cricket Board after they were informed that Australia A, who were originally scheduled to participate in the tri-series, pulled out over a long-standing pay dispute with their board.

A team series schedule

• Jul 26 – Afghanistan A v India A

• Jul 28 – South Africa A v India A

• Jul 30 – South Africa A v Afghanistan A

• Aug 1 – Afghanistan A v India A

• Aug 3 – South Africa A v India A

• Aug 5 – South Africa A v Afghanistan A

• Aug 8 – TBA v TBA

• Aug 12-15 – South Africa A v India A

• Aug 19-22 – South Africa A v India A

“We are very pleased to accept Cricket South Africa’s invitation to participate in the upcoming triangular series,” Afghanistan Cricket Board’s chief executive Shafiqullah Stanikzai said. “This will be our first-ever visit to South Africa and I am certain that this will give Afghanistan A team very good exposure to competitive cricket.”This came on the back of Afghanistan securing Test status at the culmination of the ICC board meetings in June and CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat congratulated them on their rapid rise. Afghanistan also made their debut at Lord’s last week against MCC, but persistent rain led to play being called off midway.”Afghanistan were deservedly granted Full Member status at the ICC annual conference last month after showing impressive growth in recent years,” Lorgat saidThe ACB tweeted their squad for the tour and it features 11 men who have already played international cricket including the likes of openers Usman Ghani and Javed Ahmadi, middle-order batsman Najibullah Zadran and wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai.Ihsan Janat, Younas Ahmadzai, Nawaz Khan, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai are the only uncapped players in the 15-member squad.Afghanistan A: Usman Ghani, , Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Younas Ahmadzai, Nasir Jamal, Najibullah Zadran, Shafiqullah, Afsar Zazai (wk), Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai, Fareed Ahmad, Ihsan Janat, Younas Ahmadzai, Nawaz Khan, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai

Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the England series after sustaining a stress fracture to his lower back

ESPNcricinfo staff24-May-20162:54

Fernando: Chameera’s loss is a huge blow

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the England tour after suffering a stress fracture to his lower back. Chameera has been advised rest for four months and will return to Sri Lanka to continue his treatment. Chameera is also likely to miss the home Tests against Australia, which start from July 26.The Sri Lanka selectors are expected to meet by Wednesday to pick a replacement for the squad in England. The loss of Chameera is the second big blow to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack after fast bowler Dhammika Prasad returned home last week because of a shoulder injury.The stress fracture was confirmed after Chameera underwent a scan on Tuesday morning. The fast bowler had taken 3 for 64 – including the wicket of Jonny Bairstow who top-scored with 140 – in the first Test at Headingley, which Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 88 runs.Chameera has played five Tests since his debut in June 2015 against Pakistan, taking 21 wickets at an average of 27.28. He suffered a side strain after his first Test, which kept him out of the Pallekele Test against Pakistan, and played only one match in the series against India that followed. He had made his international debut earlier – in January 2015 – and replaced Dhammika Prasad in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2015 World Cup, where he played two matches. Overall, Chameera has taken 10 wickets in nine ODIs and 13 T20Is, respectively.

Yuvraj Singh hopes his 89-ball 129 sparks a new beginning after scoring a first century in nine months after a lay-off in France and the NCA to work on his fitness

Kanishkaa Balachandran in Bangalore15-Sep-2013Hours after marking his comeback to competitive cricket after four months with a century that set up India A’s comprehensive 77-run win over West Indies A in Bangalore, Yuvraj Singh looked a relieved man. Perhaps the elation of blasting 123 off 89 balls against what he termed an “international attack” hadn’t sunk in. Looking considerably lighter, and feeling like he had a massive load off his shoulders, Yuvraj hoped this knock would spark a new beginning.Yuvraj came into this game having not played since the IPL in May. However, his road to a comeback started before that in January, when he last played for India. Ignored in the interim due to poor form and fitness, Yuvraj sought to get his fitness back with a rigorous program in France. He was given a lifeline by the selectors when named captain of the limited-overs squads in the ongoing matches against West Indies A. Expectations were high, and he delivered with a brutal century.”I always had the belief that when I’m feeling well from inside, when I’m feeling mentally good, I’m going to do well,” Yuvraj said. “It’s taken a lot of time because the body has gone through a lot. You just can’t go through such a disease (cancer) and come back and say ‘okay, I’m going to be a 100%.'”It’s just getting better and better with every off-season I’ve spent. I’m just happy with the way I hit the ball today and hopefully I can carry on this form in the coming months.”Yuvraj said he paid a lot of attention to his fitness over the last few months, and credited his stints in France and the National Cricket Academy for getting him back on track.”The doctors said it would take me about a year to get fully fit. My body’s improved a lot. I was focused on training, where I had my weaknesses, on my lung capacity, my diet, in my off-season with Zak [Zaheer Khan],” Yuvraj said. “And, Tim Exeter, whom we trained with (in France), has done wonders for me and Zak in terms of getting back.”
Yuvraj walked in in the 12th over after India had lost two wickets for 47.Despite the match being reduced to 42 overs, Yuvraj didn’t let the pressure of the run-rate get to him, and bided his time initially. He scored his first boundary off the 39th ball he faced, and accelerated once he passed his half-century. He needed just 20 balls to get from fifty to his century, and by the time he was dismissed, he had smashed eight fours and seven sixes.Asked if he was a bit too cautious initially, Yuvraj said the pacing of his knock was not too dissimilar from any of his other international centuries. The last time Yuvraj passed three figures was in a Ranji match against Madhya Pradesh last December.”I’ve been working on my batting and skills in the last couple of weeks. I just wanted to take some time at the start and attack when I needed to,” Yuvraj said. “I think most of my centuries are like this only. Take a few balls to get to 30-35, and then try and up the tempo.”Yuvraj shared stands of 100 and 125 with Mandeep Singh and Yusuf Pathan respectively, and the partnerships were crucial in propelling India A to a commanding total after the West Indies seamers made life tough for the top order. Mandeep was positive in his 67, looking for boundaries while Yuvraj looked to settle in. Yuvraj credited the younger Mandeep for taking the pressure off him.”Once a batsmen batting with you is set, it allows you to take a bit of time in the middle. It was a fresh wicket, it was doing a bit in the first couple of overs. Robin [Uthappa] and Mandy [Mandeep], they gave us a good start. It allowed me and Yusuf to cash in in the end. Mandy dominating at that time really helped me take my time and get settled in.”He also praised the opposition’s bowling attack, who were not as bad as their figures suggested. “I think it was a complete international attack,” Yuvraj said. “[Andre] Russell has obviously played for West Indies, Ronsford Beaton – that kid looks really special. He looks the future of West Indies fast bowling. He reminded me of Curtly Ambrose. Obviously, Curtly was great. I think he has a lot of potential, and I think they had a very good attack.”Having failed to make the cut for the three unofficial Tests, Yuvraj said he was happy living for the moment. “Look, I got an opportunity to play. I don’t know about four-day cricket; Test matches. I’m just happy I’m playing.”

The board members will sit to discuss and finalise changes to the rules concerning the presidency, and the terms of office bearers

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Sep-2012The BCCI has convened a series of high-level meetings on Saturday that could have long-term implications on the way it is run. The board members from the marketing committee, working committee and the IPL governing council will sit to discuss and finalise changes to the rules concerning the presidency, and the terms of office bearers.The proposed change to the election process of the president was originally mooted by Shashank Manohar to the board members informally. But in the working committee meeting last month, current BCCI president N Srinivasan put it forward formally for discussion. According to the present rule, the person who is nominated for the president’s post should have attended at least two AGMs as a representative from the same zone.”That is being amended now to any person who is proposed and seconded by the zone without the nominee having attended the board’s AGM from that zone,” a working committee member told ESPNcricinfo. “That means if two representatives from the same zone propose and second the candidate from any other zone to be become the president that is acceptable.”There are six members from the east zone, with one vote each. If any two of them propose a name from outside East zone he would eligible to become a president,” the official said.The board presidents have so far been picked on a rotational zonal basis. By that system, it would be the turn of East Zone to recommend a representative to replace Srinivasan, whose tenure comes to end in September 2014. Reportedly, the board was concerned about the capabilities of some of the names doing rounds in the East Zone for the top position. But according to the official, there was another strong reason for push to change the rule. “It is to accommodate Arun Jaitley [the current vice-president from North Zone],” the member said.The second rule change in the constitution being mooted is to allow the office bearers to have an extra term. At the moment every office bearer, barring the five vice-presidents, sit in the office for a single term of three years; the vice-presidents have two terms of three years each. “The proposed change is for the office bearers have an extra term of three years,” the official said. “The main reason is to have the best people work for the board.”

A round-up of matches from the third weekend of Kenya’s new East African Cup and East Africa Elite League

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2011Much of the action took place off the field after eight national squad players boycotted last weekend’s matches in another row over central contracts. But this time Cricket Kenya took a hardline stance and refused to back down, leading to the eight seeking a meeting with the board on Friday. But the franchises took the initiative and told the players they had been dropped and would not be selected again this season, in effect scuppering any hopes they had of negotiating their way back into the Kenyan side.

East Africa Premier League

Rwenzori Warriors beat Rift Valley Rhinos in the meeting of the only two previously unbeaten teams, bowling out Rift for 77 and then knocking off the runs for the loss of five wickets with three overs to spare. Rift never recovered from collapsing to 3 for 3Nairobi Buffaloes moved second with a last-ball five-wicket victory over Nile Knights, Rajesh Varsani thumping a four with two needed for the win. Colins Obuya, who had reportedly received threats over his participation in the tournament while other former team-mates were striking, led the Nairobi innings with 55.Coast Pekee’s made it five losses in as many games as they only managed 95 for 6 in their 20 overs – Dominic Wesonga the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 15 – and Kongonis strolled to a six-wicket win with seven overs in hand, Duncan Allan celebrating his call-up to the national team with 51.

East African Cup

Kongonis moved top of the table, beating tournament whipping boys Coast Pekee by 70 runs (D/L). Kongonis overcame a middle-order collapse which saw them slip from 58 for 1 to 64 for 4, eventually posting 219 for 8. Weather interventions left Pekee chasing 149 from 23 overs, a target which proved well beyond them as they limped to 78 for 6.Nile Knights were left frustrated after rain washed out their match against Nairobi Buffaloes with them in a strong position. Ugandan international Arthur Kyobe scored 123 off 100 balls to steer the Knights to 261, and in reply the Buffaloes were wobbling on 55 for 4 from 17.4 overs when the rain came.Rwenzori Warriors, who are finding the 50-over game a tougher prospect, finally recorded their first win, beating Rift Valley Rhinos by five wickets. The Rhinos lost their way after starting well, losing their last nine wickets for 90 as they were bowled out for 137. The Warriors needed fewer than half their allocation of overs to knock off the runs.

James Franklin has not given up on fighting into New Zealand’s World Cup squad next year, despite losing his national contract during the off-season

Brydon Coverdale13-Sep-2010James Franklin has not given up on fighting into New Zealand’s World Cup squad next year, despite losing his national contract during the off-season. Franklin will have an opportunity to press his claims when he captains New Zealand A in Zimbabwe in October, after enjoying a highly productive county season with Gloucestershire.Franklin, 29, has an Irish passport and when he was cut from New Zealand’s contracted group, briefly considered using his heritage to play in England as a local player. However, the lure of the black cap was enough to convince Franklin to keep pursuing his international goals, especially with a World Cup around the corner.”Every domestic player around the world has got an eye on the World Cup,” Franklin told ESPNcricinfo, before the New Zealand A squad was named. “Going back home and hopefully being able to put up some good domestic performances, hopefully I might be able to put my case forward for selection for that. We’ll wait and see.”One of the major challenges for Franklin is to convince the selectors that he can lift his output at the elite level after struggling to grab his chances in 23 Tests and 75 ODIs. That could be extra difficult in a New Zealand side full of allrounders – Jacob Oram, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Kane Williamson and Scott Styris were all part of the recent tri-series in Sri Lanka.”There’s a lot of multi-skilled cricketers in the New Zealand side at the moment,” Franklin said. “That can only be a good thing for the New Zealand team going forward into a World Cup come February and March. The guys that are there at the moment are ahead of me, so I’ve just got to try and perform well at domestic level and push my case that way and force my way back into the New Zealand side.”In Franklin’s favour is the excellent form he has shown with Gloucestershire this year. He is second on the team’s run-scoring list in the County Championship, with 821 runs at 32.84, and has also collected 45 wickets at 22.86, including a career-best 7 for 14 against Derbyshire a fortnight ago.He also topped Gloucestershire’s one-day run tally with 511 at 73.00, including two centuries, and their Twenty20 list with 470 at 39.16, when he was given the chance to open the batting. Those numbers have appealed to the New Zealand selectors, and Mark Greatbatch hopes the A-team captaincy will help “unlock something we have not seen before” from Franklin.It is a strong indication that Franklin made the right move not to head to England permanently when he missed out on a national contract. Although he has not ruled out such a decision later in his career – Hamish Marshall has made the switch and will qualify for Ireland next year – Franklin still has the passion to play for his country.”I’m lucky in that I have an Irish passport through my grandparents, so I have a few options up my sleeve,” Franklin said. “I want to still go back home this summer and play for Wellington, try and win trophies with them and on top of that if I could try to get back in the New Zealand side for a World Cup, or even before that for Test match cricket, then that would be great.”It’s not a decision that you can take lightly. It wasn’t a decision to come to England and play as a local, that I wanted to make quite yet. I like to think that being 30 in November I’ve still got a good five to six or seven years of cricket ahead of me, as long as I can stay fit.”

Pakistan were reduced to 46 for 4 before a gritty rearguard from Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel

Danyal Rasool17-Jan-2025Half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan wrestled momentum back for Pakistan after Jayden Seales’ triple-strike had put West Indies in the box seat in Multan. On a surface tailor-made for spin, it was the fast bowler who proved the pick of the bunch, exploiting pace and slight seam movement to send debutant Mohammad Hurraira, Kamran Ghulam and Babar Azam back for single figures. Pakistan had, at that point, been reduced to 46 for 4, with West Indies looming ominously over the tail. But a gritty unbeaten 97-run rearguard for the fifth wicket, from Rizwan and Shakeel, thwarted the visitors for the rest of the day, to ensure Pakistan would end the day with a semblance of control.After the start was delayed by four hours owing to heavy fog that enveloped the ground, Pakistan won the toss and batted first in hazy conditions with the floodlights on throughout the course of the day. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie bowled the first ball, an indication of how both sides perceived the pitch upon which each played three specialist spinners. Motie got rid of Pakistan captain Shan Masood early on, squeezing him down to the debutant wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach on the on side, but for the rest of the hour, it was Seales’ show.He had been sniffing right from the outset, and got his reward when Hurraira hung his bat out and edged to the keeper. It was followed up by a beauty to remove Kamran Ghulam, who had just dispatched an outswinger to the boundary. The next ball, he attempted to shoulder arms but it seamed back into him wickedly, rapping the thigh, with Hawk-Eye showing it would have clipped the top of off.Kamran Ghulam was lbw shouldering arms to Jayden Seales•PCB

The big fish came soon after, another glorious use of the seam. Seales hit a hard length which Babar looked to parry into the off side, but it shaped away just enough to kiss the outside edge through to Imlach. Babar would review, but, like Ghulam, he would not be reprieved.The innings threatened to fall apart at that point, but Saud Shakeel, seasoned on surfaces like these, restored some order to proceedings for Pakistan. The sting was taken out of the quicks and the spinners negotiated deftly, while Mohammad Rizwan at the other end kept his concentration levels up as West Indies continued to prowl.There was a notable acceleration from the pair after tea, right from when Shakeel got to his knees and swept Kevin Sinclair for four. It was a shot that brought the pair bounty through the session, giving them a release shot as the ball began to rip. The next six overs produced seven boundaries with Rizwan the chief aggressor, brave enough to use his feet to spin and ensuring the strike kept ticking over.There remained plenty for the visitors to get excited about. A number of balls beat the outside edge by a whisker, and Shakeel popped one up dangerously close to short midwicket just shy of a half-century. But when he got there, and Rizwan followed up soon after, the milestones were both well-deserved. By now, the light had been deteriorating consistently, and midway through Kraigg Brathwaite’s first over, the light-metre came out, and the players went off. By then, Pakistan were arguably the happier side, having been dragged by Rizwan and Shakeel towards a rather less perilous position than they found themselves in after the first hour.