Kavem Hodge’s patient unbeaten 83 guided West Indies to 194-3 on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday, before bad light forced an early close.Resuming the final session at 127-3, Hodge and Shai Hope added an unbroken 67-run stand for the fourth wicket to steer the hosts past 150. Hodge will resume on day 2 on 83 from 181 balls with 9 fours, while Hope is 39 not out from 91 deliveries. Rain and fading light cut the day short after 67 overs.
Pakistan’s attack was led by Mohammad Abbas, who struck twice. He removed opener Brandon King for 12, caught and bowled off his stumps, and later dismissed Amir Jangoo for 21 to leave West Indies 127-3 at tea. Aamer Jamal also chipped in, bowling Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a gritty 21 off 77 balls after a 51-run stand with Hodge. West Indies struggled early after being put in to bat, crawling to 23-1 before lunch and 64-2 after Jamal’s breakthrough. But Hodge anchored the recovery, bringing up his fourth Test fifty and frustrating Pakistan’s disciplined bowling with Hope. With two days potentially affected by weather, West Indies will look to build on their 194-3 when play resumes, while Pakistan will seek early wickets from Abbas and company to get back into the contest.
