3rd Test: Pakistan crawl to 169 for two on first day against Windies

E-Paper | May 25, 2026

Opener Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 85 as Pakistan crawled to 169 for two on a rain-affected first day of the series-deciding third test against West Indies in Dominica on Wednesday.

A decision by West Indies captain Jason Holder to send Pakistan in to bat backfired, as the visitors lost only one early wicket, Shan Masood for nine, at Windsor Park in Roseau.

The only other wicket to fall was Babar Azam for 55.

Younus Khan, in his 118th and final test, was not out 10 at stumps. Younus received a guard of honour from West Indies players as he walked to the crease and proceeded to make a slow start, facing 44 balls and still waiting for his first boundary.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq is also playing his final test.

Azhar batted all day, facing 219 balls in an obdurate knock, inching within sight of his 14th test century. He hit two sixes and seven fours.

West Indies bowlers toiled diligently, and at least could take some solace from keeping the run-rate low on a day when only 69 overs were possible due to rain.

Paceman Alzarri Joseph and off-spinner Roston Chase took one wicket each, while fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was economical, conceded 32 runs in 19 overs.

Pakistan made two changes from the team that lost the second test, bringing in pace bowler Hasan Ali for leg-spinner Shadab Khan, with Masood replacing Ahmed Shehzad.

West Indies were unchanged for the match after they pulled off a surprising 106-run victory in the second test in Barbados following a seven-wicket loss in the first game in Jamaica.

Teams:

West Indies - Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Vishaul Singh, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper), Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel.

Pakistan - Misbah ul Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.

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J. Gamble

May 10, 2017 08:06pm

GOOD luck Green-shirts.

Recommend 0

Imran

May 10, 2017 08:49pm

Shan Masood has some strong backing in the board I guess. He has no stats even in domestic to be selected for this level. Feel sorry for many deservings.

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Waseem sarwar

May 10, 2017 09:30pm

@Imran , He has been a decent player with decent numbers but I second you. There are tons of better test openers in domestic. Sami Aslam deserves a long run. That lad has scored runs in England, UAE and New Zealand.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

May 10, 2017 10:16pm

Best of luck to the green-shirts in this historic test match against the West Indies starting today. Keep it up and hang on tough guys. May God Almighty grant you success. Aameen, Tsum Aameen.

Recommend 0

Seriously?

May 10, 2017 11:40pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Rain is predicted (above 80% chances) for 4/5 days of the match. Lets hope for the best

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J. Gamble

May 11, 2017 01:31am

As far as rate of scoring is concerned, it is the same old story 2.62 runs per over.

Recommend 0

Desi

May 11, 2017 02:31am

Scoring at an average of 2.52 runs per over is the reason why we can't score big in first innings and when a couple of wickets fall, panick strikes and all out for around 300. Aggressive batting is needed in tests also. Should score at least 3.45 runs per over.

Recommend 0

waheed khan

May 11, 2017 03:45am

Drop shan masood and asad shafiq for good also shadab khan should not play test cricket he is like imran tahir only good for the shorter format.

Recommend 0

Grbahadur

May 11, 2017 08:39am

Run rate of 2.44 at stumps and we know green shirts are playing for a HISTORIC series win and a befitting farewell to two of their great players. LOL!

Recommend 0

jUNAID

May 11, 2017 12:16pm

Thanks for all the memories Younis, you wont be forgotten. Misbah too.

Recommend 0

SSH

May 11, 2017 12:17pm

"Crawling" and "Fear to Loose" better fit for yesterday's play.

Recommend 0

Ghalib ghalib

May 11, 2017 04:17pm

Why can't Pakistan find a proper no.2 batsman? For crying out loud Shehzad is the worst, followed by Masood. Doesn't any PCB official not look at the stats, video or history of the player? Do you just select a player because there is no other cricketer available? Has any person seen the way Shehzah and Masood bat at all before their selection? They are a liability. This is not school cricket but playing Internationally where you are not supposed to have obvious faults. I find this situation incredibly dull and simply astonishing.

Recommend 0

Shazad

May 11, 2017 08:56pm

What a great batsman Younis and batsman-captain Misbah is. Younis made 18 runs in 75 balls (12.5 overs) before getting out. As for Misbah the great batsman-captain, he scored 1 run in 51 balls (8.5 overs) he faced. Azhar eventually made his century in around 266 balls (44.3 overs). At this speed, these tuk-tuk players would need 250 overs (over 3 days play) for 400 odd runs, and then expect to bowl out WI twice in remaining 170 odd overs (that is, if no overs get lost due to rain or light). From here, I can say with certainty, that Misbah (and his tuk-tuk brigade) is playing for a draw (as usual), and if win comes than that would be due to other team batting very badly (or due to luck). Well done Misbah and his tuk-tuk brigade, aap mahan ho. :)

Recommend 0

J. Gamble

May 11, 2017 09:27pm

@Shazad -Boring Cricket on top of it.

Recommend 0

RIZ

May 11, 2017 09:43pm

Thank God Misbah will be retiring after this match. This is the hype of slowness I would rather watch wickets going down while batsmen scoring runs than 100s of dot balls and 1 boundary after that. I hope once Sarfarz will take charge he will bring batsmen like his nature who can bat with at 75 plus strike rate not like Misbah and Azhar. I really feel bad for commentators who have to watch this and keep doing the commentary.

Recommend 0

Shazad

May 11, 2017 11:05pm

@J. Gamble: You are right, boring and frustrating. In present cricket environment, draw is rarity. Runs are made on average at 4 runs per over (if not more). This match is decider, and I am surprised that Misbah started first inning with batting to draw, knowing that rain and light would cause loss of overs too. Maybe, Misbah thinks that in whatever way, if team would score 450 runs by evening of 3rd day, than with little chance of loosing, Misbah team could bowl out WI twice in remaining two last days (and few overs on third day). I don't know if Pakistan can do that or not (or rain and light would allow that), but certainly the way Misbah is leading the team, chances of draw is quite high.

Recommend 0

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