Azhar Ali hits first-ever day-night Test century in Dubai

Azhar Ali became the first batsman to record a century in a day-night Test off a pink ball as he helped Pakistan keep the West Indies in check in Dubai on Thursday.

Ali's unbeaten 146 guided Pakistan to 279-1 at close on the opening day of the first Test - just the second day-night match in Test cricket's 140-year history, after Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bat on a flat Dubai stadium pitch. Asad Shafiq was the other not out batsman with 33.

Cricket saw the innovation of day-night Tests with a pink ball for the first time when Australia played New Zealand in Adelaide last November, attempting to reverse the trend of dwindling Test crowds.

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Low attendance

Australia won the low-scoring affair on the third day by a narrow three-wicket margin, with Australian wicket-keeper Peter Nevill's 66 the top individual score. Ali bettered that and put his name in the records book with a 366-minute stay at the crease, hitting 14 boundaries, but unlike Adelaide where the attendance was 123,000 over three days, only 500-odd people passed through the gates in Dubai.

Despite the empty stands Ali and Sami Aslam, who fell for 90, started brightly with an imperious 215-run stand for the opening wicket. Ali drove off-spinner Roston Chase to mid-off for his ninth boundary to complete his 11th Test century - his second in three matches, before pumping the air in jubiliation.

Aslam missed out on a century by just 10 runs when he swept Chase onto his stumps. He hit nine fours in his 290-minute stay at the crease. It was a second time unlucky for the 20-year-old who was run out for 82 in the Birmingham Test against England two months ago.

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West Indies took the second new ball as soon as it was due after 80 overs with Pakistan on 249-1 but failed to get another wicket. Chase was the lone wicket-taker with 1-63 in 21 overs.

“I got run out at Birmingham and here I fell short again but this is cricket and I am unlucky. The occasion of 400th Test excited the players so it's befitting that we made a good score”, Aslam said afterwards.

Spinners without effect

West Indies' spinners failed to create any problems for Pakistan's openers who flourished as the day progressed. It couldn't have been a better start for Pakistan in a milestone match marking their 400th Test, as they won a crucial toss and made excellent early progress.

Pakistan handed Test caps to middle-order batsman Babar Azam and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz. Ali was given a lifeline when Leon Johnson failed to hold onto a sharp chance at gully off Miguel Cummins on 17. West Indian captain Holder brought on his part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite in the 15th over and leg-spinner Bishoo in the 21st but there were no signs of spin. The remaining two Tests will be played in Abu Dhabi from October 21-25 and Sharjah from 30th-November 3rd.