IN a mixed kind of a day both the bat and ball had an even contest as wickets fell and also runs were there to be picked. Unlike the previous Sharjah turfs the present one, which I am told by the ground authorities is a recently-laid one, showed up to be of a different texture and bounce and in character a docile one with opportunities for the batsmen and the bowlers to cash in on.

The end result of the first day’s play of this third and final Test is indicative enough of yet another match which is unlikely to end without a result. Pakistan are already leading the series having won the first two Tests at Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

For the West Indies even if they manage to a win a game here it will be no less than a face-saving business and that indeed would mean a lot for Jason Holder’s men who have so far on the losing side every time they took the field.

For Misbah-ul-Haq and his team this match, though an academic one from result point of view, is also of prime importance to keep the winning habit going before embarking on yet another tour on next Sunday that of New Zealand and Australia.

Two Tests in Christchurch and Hamilton beginning from the 17th of next month and later three Tests at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will further test their bearings.

To play at the highest level and remain in pristine fitness and form are indeed no less than a demanding prospect. A series in Australia would obviously show up of what mettle this Pakistan squad is made. That also could determine the fate of a couple of senior men in the team like Misbah and Younis Khan who have so far been a role model for any youngster to follow.

Their cricket, fitness and their presence and performance in recent years have been phenomenal. And I can tell you that without them Pakistan at Test level or otherwise may not have had such laurels in recent years as they have managed taking along with them the younger generation of players like Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Sami Aslam and even Zulfiqar Babar.

Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan and Rahat Ali have also benefited from it.

The start of the day yesterday with both Azhar and Asad being dismissed within three balls after Misbah had won the toss must have been distasteful and surely must have left a shock effect.

But the way Pakistan batsmen fought back with steady Sami and Younis who steadied the path with a partnership of over a hundred by contributing scores of 50-plus did mean a lot for their captain who with ever reliable Sarfaraz held the innings together before both fell followed by the fall of more wickets.

I must say that the West Indians appeared sharper than ever in the first day’s play and their bowlers put in all that they have in them to continue all day bringing to bear relentless pressure on Pakistan batsmen to earn just rewards, that is eight wickets in the end as Shannon Gabriel’s early success was aptly complimented by the spinners, Roston Chase and Devendra Bishoo, who between them shared five wickets which were well deserved.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2016