Bad light halts Pakistan's recovery

Half-centuries by Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal helped Pakistan recover from a shaky start in the second Test against West Indies on Friday before poor weather prompted an early close.

Azhar hit the top score of 67 and Akmal made 56, as the Pakistanis, electing to bat, reached 180 for six in their first innings before rain then bad light stopped play 16.4 overs early on the opening day at Warner Park.

Azhar added 93 for the fifth wicket with Akmal, following a stand of exactly 50 with Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq that resurrected the visitors from 24 for three in the first hour.

Azhar and Akmal, however, both gifted their wickets when it appeared they were well set.

Akmal was caught at third man off West Indies captain Darren Sammy, chasing a wide delivery, and Azhar was run out, when Mohammad Salman failed to respond to his call for a single to extra cover off Sammy, and both ended up at the same end. Ravi Rampaul was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with three for 40 from 18.2 overs.

Pakistan — 1st innings: M. Hafeez c Simmons b Rampaul 8, T. Umar c Baugh b Rampaul 11, A. Ali (run out) 67, A. Shafiq c Bishoo b Rampaul 0, Misbah-ul-Haq c Samuels b Bishoo 25, U. Akmal c Rampaul b Sammy 56, M. Salman (batting) 8, A. Rehman (batting) 1; Extras (lb-2, w-2): 4; Total (for six wkts in 73.2 overs): 180.

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-22, 3-24, 4-74, 5-167, 6-176.

West Indies bowling: Roach 16-7-33-0, Rampaul 18.2-3-40-3, Sammy 20-4-50-1, Bishoo 19-6-55-1.