Pakistan off to solid start against West Indies XI

Published Updated

TAROUBA: Opener Azan Awais and Shan Masood led Pakistan’s impressive start against the West Indies XI on the opening day of their warm-up at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Saturday.

After electing to bat first, Pakistan finished the day on 184-2 off 60.4 overs after Azan and fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq gave the tourists a steady start in the four-day warm-up ahead of the first Test scheduled to start from July 25.

However, the hosts made the first breakthrough by dismissing Imam (10) to end the 39-run opening stand as Ojay Shields dismissed the southpaw.

Shan, another left-hander, then came to the crease and joined Awais as the pair dominated the proceedings, taking Pakistan’s total past the 50-run mark.

Awais brought up a well-deserved half-century. Shan also batted positively to help steady the innings as the pair shared a 108-run partnership during which the former captain also completed the fifty.

However, the stand was broken when

Shan was dismissed by Jomel Warrican after an impressive 70 that included 10 boundaries.

Captain Babar Azam added valuable runs alongside Awais as the pair guided Pakistan beyond the 150-run mark before stumps.

Awais remained unbeaten on 78 from 189 deliveries, including nine boundaries, while Babar was unbeaten on 14.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2026