Dharuba: Pakistan opener Azan Awais and former captain Shaun Masood dominated the opening day of the practice match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday against West Indies XI.
Batting first, Pakistan scored 184-2 in 60.4 overs with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azaan Awais putting up a solid opening partnership to give their team a steady start.
However, the hosts made the first breakthrough by dismissing Imam to end the opening stand on 39 runs. He scored 10 runs off 36 balls, including a boundary, as Ojay Shields took his wicket.
Shaun Masood then came to the crease and teamed up with Awais as the pair dominated, taking Pakistan’s total past 50 with a fluent partnership.
Awais continued to pile on the runs and was in excellent touch as he reached a well-deserved half-century. Masood batted favorably to help stabilize the innings as the pair shared a 108-run partnership, with the former captain also reaching his half-century.
However, the 108-run stand was broken when Masood was dismissed after scoring 70 runs off 100 balls, including 10 fours. Jomal Warigan took the wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 147-2 in 45.4 overs.
Captain Babar Azam then went to the crease and added valuable runs with Awais as the pair guided Pakistan past 150 before stumps.
Awais was unbeaten on 78 off 189 balls including 9 fours while Babar was unbeaten on 14 off 43 balls including 2 fours.
So far, Ojay Shields and Jomel Warrigan have picked up a wicket each, keeping the visitors firmly in control heading into the second day of the match.