Hodge’s 83 leads West Indies to 194-3 against Pakistan on day 1 of Test series
Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten 83 carried West Indies to 194-3 against Pakistan at stumps on the rain-affected first day of the first test on Saturday.
Only 67 overs were bowled in the day before stumps was called early because of bad light. Hodge batted in all three sessions, including the truncated first session in which only 14.1 overs were bowled and 23 runs scored. He came to the crease in the ninth over when Mohammad Abbas bowled Brandon King (12) on his way to figures of 1-8 from seven overs in the morning session.
When the players returned from lunch, Hodge faced a pitch that had been enlivened by the rain, and stood firm as West Indies added 104 runs for the loss of two wickets in 28.5 overs.
Hodge then added 67 runs in 24 overs in the shortened final session during which he survived a confident appeal for lbw. He was struck above the knee roll on the back pad by a ball from Abbas which jagged back from outside off stump. Pakistan’s appeal was upheld by the on-field umpire but overturned by the television officials when replays showed the ball was bouncing over the stumps.
Hodge went on to share an unbroken 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Shai Hope who was 39 not out at close of play.
Abbas finished the day with 2-44 from 19 overs as the best of the Pakistan bowlers. Left-arm spinner Usman Ali made his test debut at 33 and managed to find sharp turn at times. West Indies captain Roston Chase made the decision to bat after winning the toss. It seemed questionable as runs came at a snail’s pace in the first session for the loss of King’s wicket in the ninth over when the total was 13.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo both made 21 before falling in the second session. Chanderpaul fell to Aamer Jamal, who returned to the Pakistan test side after an 18-month absence and Jangoo was trapped lbw by Abbas. Hodge remained resolute, reaching his fourth half-century in tests from 86 balls with eight fours. Hope provided solid support and faced 91 balls by stumps.
Babar Azam has returned to lead Pakistan after the captaincy was stripped from Shan Masood, who lost 12 out of 16 tests. Pakistan hasn’t won an away test since beating Sri Lanka in 2023 under Babar.
Opening batter Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the series, and the upcoming three test series in England, after injuring his lower back on Thursday. Imam-ul-Haq, who missed the last series against Bangladesh, has returned to open with Azan Awais. West Indies has gone in with three fast bowlers - Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales - after Alzarri Joseph made himself unavailable for the series. Jomel Warrican is the specialist spinner.
The teams are at the bottom of the World Test Championship with one win apiece. West Indies players and match officials wore black armbands in memory of legendary allrounder Garfield Sobers, who died at the age of 89 this month.
Players of both teams and match officials observed a minute of silence before the start of play at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, which became the 13th test venue in the Caribbean.
