Oman Daily Observer

West Indies fight back against Pakistan

SECOND TEST: Gabriel took a career best 5-96 and Holder bagged 3/47 to bowl Pakistan out for 304/4 on the second day of the Test

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ABU DHABI: West Indies were 106-4 at the close of play in their first innings on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Jermaine Blackwood and nightwatch­man Devendra Bishoo were yet to get off the mark, with West Indies still trailing Pakistan’s first innings total of 452 by 346 runs with six wickets in hand.

Earlier paceman Shannon Gabriel took a career best 5-96 and Jason Holder 3-47 after Pakistan resumed the day on 304-4. Misbah-ul-Haq fell for 96.

Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs. YOUNIS FIGHTS BACK Pakistan batsman Younis Khan marked his recovery from dengue fever with a splendid century against the West Indies on Friday but admitted he was concerned after shedding six kilos during his illness.

The 38-year-old hit an attractive 127 to guide Pakistan to 304-4 on the opening day of the second Test — three weeks after he was hospitalis­ed in Karachi suffering the effects of the mosquito-borne disease.

Younis had to miss the first Test in Dubai as he had not fully recovered but came back strongly at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday.

“Normally after dengue you don’t have that much strength but I managed to regain it thanks to the doctors and medical staff who gave so much care,” said Younis.

“I had no energy to play in the first Test so I told the board and they accepted it. I got enough rest and probably had I rushed into it I wouldn’t have managed this success.”

Younis admitted he was worried about lack of match practice ahead of his return.

“I had lost some six kilos and I was worried that I had not played a match since the Oval Test on August 14,” said Younis of his last match where he stroked an epic 218 to help Pakistan level the four-match series 2-2 against England.

“I played some club matches on cement wickets and that helped. It was hot and those matches helped me coming into this Test.”

Younis added 87 for the third wicket with Asad Shafiq (68) and another 175 for the fourth with skipper Misbahul-Haq who was 90 not out at close on Friday.

It was his 15th hundred partnershi­p with Misbah in 49 innings.

“We know we have the responsibi­lity to carry the team. That’s why whenever me and Misbah play together we want to do well,” said Younis. “We are well aware of the responsibi­lity and our mental preparatio­n is always positive.”

Younis said he never felt nervous in the nineties — he has scored the most consecutiv­e hundreds in all Test cricket (31) without being dismissed in 90s.

“There is no secret as such. Only once in Auckland (against New Zealand in 2001) I got out in the 90s.”

 ?? — AFP ?? Pakistani bowler Rahat Ali (third left) celebrates with team-mates after the dismissal of the West Indies’ batsman Marlon Samuels (unseen) on the second day of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu...
— AFP Pakistani bowler Rahat Ali (third left) celebrates with team-mates after the dismissal of the West Indies’ batsman Marlon Samuels (unseen) on the second day of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu...
 ?? — AFP ?? West Indies’ batsman Leon Johnson (centre) hits a shot as Pakistani wicketkeep­er Sarfraz Ahmed (left) and team-mate Younis Khan look on during the second day of the second Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
— AFP West Indies’ batsman Leon Johnson (centre) hits a shot as Pakistani wicketkeep­er Sarfraz Ahmed (left) and team-mate Younis Khan look on during the second day of the second Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
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