Pakistan ended day one of the second Test against West Indies in command of proceedings in Abu Dhabi. It was Younis Khan (127) who bailed his side out of trouble from a worrying 42/2. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was excellent too, scoring an unbeaten 90 as Pakistan finished at 304/4 at stumps.
After bringing up a record partnership in the first Test, the Pakistan openers Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali were dismissed cheaply in the first session. Pacer Shannon Gabriel was getting the ball to move around a bit and the Pakistan batsmen were forced to grind the bowling down.
West Indies could have made further inroads had they not put down a couple of chances that Younis Khan presented. Asad Shafiq consolidated the No. 3 spot that was handed to him in the first Test with yet another half-century, before becoming becoming Gabriel's second wicket. This ended Younis Khan and Shafiq's 87-run stand for the third wicket.
Misbah was at his best: solid in defense but fearless in going for the long hop when he had the chance. Younis Khan then brought up his 33rd Test hundred before he was dismissed off the last ball of the day's play.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 304/4 (Younis Khan 127, Misbah-ul-Haq 90 not out; Shannon Gabriel 2/43) vs West Indies.