Rampaul puts Windies in early control against Pakistan

West Indies seamer Ravi Rampaul took 3-40 as the home team reduced Pakistan to 180 for six on a rain-disrupted first day of the second test at Warner Park on Friday.

By (Reuters)

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Published: Sat 21 May 2011, 8:39 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 7:30 AM

Rampaul removed both openers cheaply to put West Indies in early control and, despite patient scores of 67 by Azhar Ali and 56 by Umar Akmal, the visitors failed to make the most of winning the toss on a flat pitch.

There were rain interruptions in each session and West Indies, who lead Pakistan 1-0 in the two-match series, gained a late boost when they removed danger man Azhar shortly before bad light halted play for the day.

Azhar, who had shared with Umar in a fifth-wicket stand of 93, was run out three overs before the premature close after driving a full toss into the covers and setting off for a risky single.

His batting partner Mohammad Salman advanced a few steps down the pitch before returning to the crease and, with both batsmen then stranded at the non-striker’s end, Azhar walked off to the pavilion.

Right-hander Azhar, who struck seven boundaries off 196 balls, had earlier orchestrated a fourth-wicket partnership of 50 with Misbah-ul-Haq (25) as Pakistan fought back from a precarious 24-3.

Pakistan have never won a series in the Caribbean in six previous visits and the best they can hope for this time is a drawn series with only one test to go.

A successful day for West Indies, who won the first test in Guyana by 40 runs on Sunday, was especially memorable for teenager Kraigg Brathwaite who celebrated his test debut.

The 18-year-old, brought into the 13-man squad for opening batsman Devon Smith, became the fifth youngest West Indian to earn a test call-up.

“This is an honour for me and a real dream,” Brathwaite said. “I never thought it would come this early but I’m delighted to be playing my first test match.

“It’s not just my dream, but the dream of my father, all my family and many, many people who have supported me my entire life. My aim is to do everyone proud.”

Brathwaite made his first-class debut aged just 16 and earned a place in the West Indies squad for the test series against Bangladesh in 2009 when several senior players were on strike.

A patient batsman who has modelled his dogged approach on Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brathwaite was the leading run-scorer for the West Indies under-19 squad at the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand.