Youhana saves Pakistan's blushes against the West Indies

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, January 31: Yousuf Youhana hit an unbeaten 78 to steer Pakistan out of trouble on the opening day of the first cricket Test against the West Indies here on Thursday.

Pakistan, who struggled to reach 45-2 by lunch against the disciplined West Indians, slipped to 94-4 before recovering to post 230-5 by stumps at the Sharjah cricket stadium.

Youhana, who made 204 not out in his last Test innings against Bangladesh earlier this month, looked in supreme touch as he neared his ninth Test hundred and the third against the West Indies in four matches.

Younis Khan contributed 53, but it was the fifth-wicket stand of 84 between Youhana and Abdur Razzaq that beat back the spirited West Indian challenge led by two wickets each from captain Carl Hooper and fast bowler Mervyn Dillon.

Rashid Latif returned unbeaten on 27, having so far added 52 valuable runs for the sixth wicket with Youhana.

The West Indies may well rue a missed chance off Youhana just before close when Cameron Cuffy put down a low catch at mid-on off Dillon.

Youhana responded with a six over square-leg two balls later to add to the eight boundaries he has hit so far.

Less than 500 spectators were hand to witness the maiden Test in this Gulf emirate, which has hosted more one-day internationals (181) than any venue in the world.

The first bilateral Test series on neutral territory was forced by the reluctance of the West Indies to play in Pakistan due to security concerns in the region.

"I think we let the game slip away in the last two sessions," Hooper said.

"There were too many four-balls and the fielding slackened a bit. But I am otherwise happy to keep Pakistan down to 230 on a batting wicket."

Pakistani captain Waqar Younis complimented Youhana, but said the lack of a suitable alternative to the injured Saeed Anwar at the top of the order was worrying.

"We miss Anwar badly as opener," he said. "It's just our good fortune that we have an in-form batsman like Youhana to bail us out of trouble.

"The ball is not coming on to the bat, so if we can get around 300-325, we can put the West Indians under pressure."

Pakistan, wary of the untested, grassless wicket, hit just three boundaries from 29 overs in the first session after Waqar won the toss and elected to bat.

Debutant opener Naved Latif, a surprise inclusion ahead of the seasoned Shahid Afridi, lasted just six deliveries when he was trapped leg-before by Dillon in the third over.

Taufiq Umer, the other opener, made a dour 24 when he was dismissed just before lunch, edging a ball from off-spinner Hooper on to his stumps.

Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul Haq took Pakistan to 80-2 after lunch when both fell in the space of five overs playing rash shots outside the off-stump.

Inzamam, who made 10 in 40 minutes, slashed in frustration against Dillon and was easily caught by wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.

Younis hit 53, but missed reaching the 1,000-run mark in Tests by five runs when he cut Hooper straight into the hands of Chris Gayle at slip.

Hooper, who bowled 14 unchanged overs in his first spell, ended the day with figures of two for 31. Dillon had two or 78 from 24 overs.

Part-timer Wavell Hinds earned the crucial break in the final session when he had Razzaq edging a catch to Jacobs after making 34.

The West Indies gave a Test cap to left-handed all-rounder Ryan Hinds of Barbados, who will have the additional responsibility of sharing the spin attack with Hooper.

Hooper left out the team's lone specialist spinner, Dinanath Ramnarine, to play three fast bowlers on a wicket that is already beginning to keep low.