Babar, Fawad lead Pakistan’s recovery on shortened day

In deep trouble at 3-2 by the fourth over, Pakistan recovered brilliantly to end a shortened first day of the second and final Test against West Indies on a solid 212-4.

Bad light stopped play with 74 of the 90 overs bowled at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

Contrasting half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam and Fawad Alam led a great recovery by the hosts, who are trailing in the series, after losing the opening game at the same venue.

The visitors were rocked by new-ball pair Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales, who combined to dismiss Abid Ali (1), Imran Butt (1) and Azhar Ali (0) with just two runs on the board.

With the top three back in the pavillion, Pakistan needed something special from the middle-order and Babar and Fawad provided just that.

While Babar was his usual classy self, Fawad was more determined, though he had to retire with cramps. The pair added 158 for the fourth wicket, the partnership ending when Fawad left the field retired hurt on 76 (149 balls; 11x4s).

Babar fell soon after for 75 (174 balls; 13x4s), his third half-century in four innings on this tour.

Faheem Ashraf (23*) and Mohammad Rizwan (22*) batted to the close, adding an unbroken 44 for the fifth wicket, with Roach taking 3-49 and Seales 1-25.

Both sides made one change from the first Test- for West Indies Jomel Warrican made way for Alzarri Joseph and Pakistan opted to drop Yasir Shah for Nauman Ali.