Lunch Day 1: Rampaul rocks Pakistan

Basseterre, St Kitts, CMC – Ravi Rampaul snared all the Pakistan wickets that fell before lunch to give West Indies a bright start to the second Digicel Test on Friday.

Rampaul captured three wickets for 13 runs from nine overs, as Pakistan, choosing to bat, reached 46-3 in their first innings at the lunch interval on the first day at Warner Park.

The fast-medium bowler struck in successive overs to leave Pakistan reeling on 24-3 before the visitors’ captain Misbah-ul-Haq joined Azhar Ali, and settled things down with resolute batting.

Rampaul delivered the opening blow to Pakistan in his fourth over, when left-handed opener Taufeeq Umar failed to get his gloves out of the way of a rising ball, and was caught behind for 11.

Rampaul then had Mohammad Hafeez caught at third slip for eight, edging a forward defensive shot, and Asad Shafiq was caught at gully for a “duck”, slapping a short, wide delivery before a drizzle of rain offered the Pakistanis temporary respite.

Pakistan made one change with Tanvir Ahmed replacing seamer Umar Gul, who went wicket-less in the first Test.

West Indies, meanwhile, are without the services of veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, who is carrying a sore shoulder, and included Marlon Samuels, while handing teenager Kraigg Brathwaite his Test debut.

The Windies lead the series 1-0 after beating Pakistan by 40 runs inside four days last Sunday in Guyana.