Captain Jason Holder believes a much better first-innings display could have resulted in a different outcome to the first Brighto Paints-Q Mobile Test, which ended with the West Indies going down by seven wickets to Pakistan at Sabina Park yesterday.
Set just 32 for victory late in the morning session of the final day, Pakistan achieved their target for the loss of three second innings wickets shortly after lunch.
The tourists ended on 36 for three to go along with their first innings total of 407. The West Indies in their first innings made 286 and 152 in their second.
“Not enough runs in the first innings. We lost wickets early, and could never consolidate with any partnership in the
middle. We needed to get in excess of 300 runs, but didn’t,” said Holder. ”
”We lost early wickets again in the second innings, which also affected us. Yes, Yasir Shah did bowl wonderfully, but we could have batted a lot better,” he said.
Starting on 93 for four and still needing another 28 runs to make Pakistan bat again, the West Indies were hoping for another rearguard effort, which in similar circumstances saw them pull off a dramatic draw against India last summer.
However, unlike the last occasion, where middle-order batsman Roston Chase recorded his maiden Test century, and
wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich and all-rounder Jason Holder scored half-centuries, it was not to be.
Having resumed with middle-order batsman Vishaul Singh and night watchman, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, both not out on zero, the West Indies went on to lose their last six wickets for a mere 59 runs.
Debutant Singh was the first to be dismissed when he misjudged an inswinging delivery from left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir and was bowled for nine with the score on 110.
He was followed by Bishoo, who with the total on 129, pushed at a ball outside off stump from Mohammad Abbas and was caught behind for 18.
Dowrich, zero from five balls, Holder 14 from 25 and pacer Alzarri Joseph one from two, soon perished before leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who ended with figures six for 63, claimed the wicket of last man, Shannon Gabriel, without scoring.
Chase, having batted for close to an hour, was left not out on 16. Shah, who took two for 91 in the first innings, was named Man of the Match.
”It’s a tough phase, but it is what it is. We just got to stick together and learn,” continued Holder.
‘”I have full confidence in this young group, but we definitely need to get off to better starts. Kraigg Brathwaite couldn’t get going in this Test match, for example. The last time when we beat Pakistan late last year, he carried his bat through both innings.”
Delight
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, in the meantime, in expressing delight at the win, said his bowlers did well.
“Tricky weather, first day, winning the toss and bowling, there was only one chance to get them out quickly with the weather. The bowlers did well, especially Amir in the first innings and Yasir,” he said.
The second match in the three-Test series will begin on Saturday in Bridgetown, Barbados.
