Babar, Awais centuries put Pakistan in complete control against West Indies Select XI
Key Points(5)
- Pakistan's batters tightened their grip on their four-day warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI on Sunday, producing a disciplined and commanding performance led by centuries from Azan Awais and captain Babar Azam.
- By stumps on the second day at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the visitors had advanced to an imposing 455 for four , leaving the home side searching for answers after another long day in the field.
- The foundation had been laid on the opening day, but Pakistan's experienced lineup ensured there would be no let-up as they steadily accumulated runs through a succession of substantial partnerships.
- Awais converts overnight start into century Azan Awais resumed on 78 and showed patience throughout the morning session before reaching a well-crafted century from 241 deliveries .
- The left-hander's innings anchored Pakistan's progress and formed part of a valuable 100-run partnership with captain Babar Azam that further frustrated the Select XI attack.
Pakistan's batters tightened their grip on their four-day warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI on Sunday, producing a disciplined and commanding performance led by centuries from Azan Awais and captain Babar Azam.
By stumps on the second day at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the visitors had advanced to an imposing 455 for four, leaving the home side searching for answers after another long day in the field.
The foundation had been laid on the opening day, but Pakistan's experienced lineup ensured there would be no let-up as they steadily accumulated runs through a succession of substantial partnerships.
Awais converts overnight start into century
Azan Awais resumed on 78 and showed patience throughout the morning session before reaching a well-crafted century from 241 deliveries.
The left-hander's innings anchored Pakistan's progress and formed part of a valuable 100-run partnership with captain Babar Azam that further frustrated the Select XI attack.
After completing his hundred, Awais retired hurt, handing the innings over to his captain with Pakistan firmly in control.
Babar keeps pressure on home bowlers
Babar seamlessly assumed the lead role once Awais departed.
The Pakistan skipper continued to accumulate fluently, bringing up his century from 151 balls, an innings decorated with 12 boundaries and one six.
He then shared a productive 79-run stand with Abdullah Fazal, ensuring the scoring rate remained healthy while further extending Pakistan's dominance.
Soon after reaching the three-figure milestone, Babar also retired, following the same approach adopted by Awais. Fazal later followed suit after completing a composed half-century of his own.
Bandoo provides rare bright spot
Opportunities remained scarce for the West Indies Select XI bowlers, but off-spinner Ryan Bandoo managed to break through on two occasions.
He first had Salman Ali Agha stumped by wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva for 46, before clean bowling Aamir Jamal for 22 to claim his second wicket of the innings.
Bandoo's figures improved to 2-86, making him the only bowler to enjoy multiple successes against Pakistan's formidable batting lineup.
Pakistan eyes bigger total
By the close of play, wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 44 from 103 deliveries, poised to continue Pakistan's march on the third morning following Jamal's dismissal.
With only four wickets lost and a commanding total already on the board, Pakistan enters the second half of the contest in complete control, having used the warm-up fixture to showcase the depth and discipline of its batting ahead of the international series.
For the West Indies Select XI, a demanding third day now awaits as they seek to halt Pakistan's relentless progress and regain some momentum in a match that has thus far belonged entirely to the visitors.
