smartcybers786@gmail.com 
Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot against West Indies as an opponents player keeps the slips at the Multan Cricket Stadium on January 17, 2025. — AFP
#PAK #Play #ends #due #bad #light #hosts
MULTAN: The first day of the first Test between Pakistan and West Indies came to an abrupt end due to bad light as Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel remained steady at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first.
The toss, which was scheduled to take place at 9 am, was delayed by hours due to dense fog in the city. It was finally held at 1 pm.
The game opened and Jayden Sales struck three times against Pakistan on a surface designed specifically for spin but it was the pacer who sent back debutants Mohammad Harira, Kamran Ghulam and Babar Azam for single figures. sent off and took Pakistan to 46-4, before Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel took control. .
Rizwan and Saud batted steadily and ended the day’s play with scores of 51 and 56 respectively.
Due to bad light, play had to be stopped suddenly and stumps were declared moments later.
Pakistan will begin batting tomorrow as the scoreboard ticks at 143-4.
Pakistan aims to end the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 on a winning note. The second Test will also be played at the same venue from January 25.
West Indies, who are playing a Test match in Pakistan for the first time since December 2006, are currently at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship table. In the last Test series between the two teams here, PCB Hall of Famer Inzamam-ul-Haq led the home side to a 2-0 victory in the three-match Test series.
The men in green shirts and maroon last met in the red ball format in 2021 in the West Indies, where the two-match series was tied 1-1.
Pakistan, led by Shaun Masood, are looking for a second consecutive home series win after defeating England 2-1 in October 2024.
The men in Green’s 15-man squad have undergone three days of extensive training, while the team led by Craig Brathwaite practiced for two days at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium. The visiting team also participated in a three-day warm-up game against Pakistan Shaheens at the Islamabad Club in Islamabad last week.
The home side squad consists of three uncapped players – Kashif Ali (right-arm fast bowler), Muhammad Hurira (right-arm batsman) and Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) while Abrar Ahmed, Imamul-Haq, Muhammad Ali and Sajid Khan. has been recalled.
Abrar and Sajid need 11 and six wickets respectively to complete their 50 Test wickets.
In his comments, Shaun said that this is his last Test series of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, and he would like to end it on a winning note.
He added that every match in the format was very important, and he was determined to give it his all to end the campaign with a memorable series win.
“West Indies are a good team with a lot of talented players. They bring a unique style to the game, and we know they will push us hard. Test cricket is about adapting to challenges, and a team As, we are ready to answer whatever comes.
“Winning the series at home against England has given us a lot of confidence and momentum. Our focus is on delivering strong performances and instilling a winning attitude.”
While West Indies Test captain Brathwaite said that he is very excited to be in Pakistan. He said that he personally had never been to Pakistan before and probably most of the players were also visiting for the first time and were really looking forward to doing well in the series. He said that Pakistan is a strong team at home, so they are looking forward to doing well in the conditions.
“The performance of our team will be very important here, and obviously getting runs on the board is important but taking 20 wickets will be important to win the Test match.
