Athanaze and Imlach Score Half-Centuries as Tour Match Concludes in a Draw

The West Indies XI and Pakistan Shaheens played out a compelling draw in their three-day tour match in Islamabad, a contest that saw both teams showcase competitive cricket but ultimately unable to force a decisive result. The match, serving as a warm-up for the upcoming Test series, provided valuable insights into the form and potential of players on both sides.

The West Indies XI, batting first, posted a substantial total of 346-8 declared in their first innings. Alick Athanaze narrowly missed a century, scoring a commanding 99, while Amir Jangoo provided crucial support with an unbeaten 63. Several other batsmen chipped in with valuable contributions, including Kraigg Brathwaite (34), Mikyle Louis (34), Kevin Sinclair (28*), Joshua Da Silva (22), and Keacy Carty (22). Mohammad Rameez Jr. was the most successful bowler for the Shaheens, taking 3-64, while Ahmed Safi Abdullah claimed 2-91. This robust first-innings total provided the West Indies with a significant platform for the match.

In reply, the Pakistan Shaheens reached 212-9, showcasing resilience despite falling short of the West Indies’ total. Muhammad Hurraira anchored the innings with a well-constructed 74, and Mohammad Suleman provided valuable support with a knock of 45. Kevin Sinclair was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, claiming 3-50, while Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie each took two wickets. This first innings left the Shaheens trailing by 134 runs, handing a considerable advantage to the West Indies XI.

Building on their first-innings lead, the West Indies XI declared their second innings at 177-5, setting the Shaheens a challenging target of 311 runs for victory. Alick Athanaze continued his impressive form with another half-century, scoring 58 not out. Tevin Imlach also contributed significantly, hitting a fluent 57, while Kavem Hodge added 36 runs. Mohammad Musa Khan and Ali Raza were the most effective bowlers for the Shaheens, taking two wickets each. This declaration presented the Shaheens with a difficult but not impossible chase on the final day.

Chasing the 311-run target, the Pakistan Shaheens finished the match at 128-2, securing a draw but falling short of a victory. Muhammad Hurraira, maintaining his impressive form, top-scored with a brisk 80, punctuated by twelve boundaries and two sixes. Omair Yousuf provided solid support with an unbeaten 25. Jomel Warrican posed the primary threat for the West Indies XI, taking 2-23. Despite the positive intent and significant contributions from Hurraira and Yousuf, the Shaheens were unable to overcome the substantial target set by the West Indies.

The draw highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, showcasing promising performances from individual players. Alick Athanaze’s consistent run-scoring, highlighted by his near-century and subsequent fifty, positions him as a key player for the West Indies in the upcoming Test series. Similarly, Muhammad Hurraira’s twin innings of 74 and 80 for Pakistan Shaheens underscore his impressive batting talent. The bowlers on both sides also had their moments, demonstrating the potential for exciting contests in the Test matches to follow. The match served its purpose as a valuable warm-up, allowing both teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses ahead of the more crucial encounters.

The competitive nature of the draw suggests that the Test series between West Indies and Pakistan promises to be a closely fought affair. The performances of key players like Athanaze and Hurraira, coupled with the contributions of other batsmen and the effectiveness of the bowling attacks, indicate that the upcoming matches will likely be engaging and potentially produce thrilling results. This tour match provided an important platform for players to gain valuable match practice and showcase their abilities, setting the stage for a compelling Test series.