MATCH REPORT: Captain Brathwaite stands tall as West Indies gain lead
Betway Test Series presented by Osaka Batteries
Day 2 of 1st Test match
Venue: Sabina Park, Jamaica
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West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite played a brilliant knock of 97 in a 96-run partnership with Jason Holder which helped guide the West Indies to a first-innings lead over Pakistan on Friday.
Brathwaite defied the Pakistan bowlers for just over six hours as he faced 221 balls and hit 12 fours before he was run out attempting a second run.
Holder was out earlier for 58. He reached his half century from 95 balls with nine fours and was looking solid when he reached forward to a full ball from Faheem Ashraf which nipped away late, took a faint edge and carried to Rizwan.
Brathwaite put on 50 with overnight partner Roston Chase (21) for the third wicket, followed immediately by a stand of 49 with Jermaine Blackwood, who made 22 with four boundaries. However Blackwood’s dismissal to Shaheen Shah Afridi was followed next ball by the dismissal of Kyle Mayers, tilting the balance of the contest Pakistan's way. Holder then joined the captain and the two rescued the innings.
“I would have loved to have been there at the end and to get three figures, but it was my error and I have to take responsibility for that,” Brathwaite said.
“I would like us to show the same fight we did today and when we start bowling again, we need to be disciplined and that should be the key. The key was to be tight. They were really testing our patience and while we committed to putting away the bad balls, it was about letting them come to us.”
That moment Brathwaite brought up the half century. #WIvPAK #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/0gmesd7gHY
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 13, 2021
The West Indies began the day at 2-2 and were 251-8, a lead of 34, when stumps were drawn early due to bad light. Joshua Da Silva will resume on Saturday on 20 not out. He has so far spent close to 90 minutes at the crease and faced 62 balls, striking two fours.