ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Batting coach Toby Radford says West Indies will be gunning for early wickets on yesterday’s second day, in an effort to prevent Pakistan piling up a massive total like they did in the opening Test last week.
The Caribbean side toiled with little success on the opening day of the second Test here Friday as Pakistan, opting to bat first, reached 304 for four at the close at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
And with the new ball already available, Radford said it was crucial West Indies capitalised and limited Pakistan’s from getting anywhere near the 579 for three declared in the historic day/night Test in Dubai.
“We know we’ve got the second new ball and I think it is really important that we bowl as well tomorrow morning as we did this morning and try and get in [the game],” the Englishman said.
“I think there is a belief that if we can one or two wickets here then it can be a slightly long tail and you want to get into those lower order batters and the bowlers.
“What we certainly don’t want is a score building up like it did in Dubai last week so for us it’s early wickets in the morning.”
West Indies were impressive up front on Friday as fast bowler Shannon Gabriel produced a couple of sharp spells to Test the Pakistani batsmen.
He was rewarded with the wicket of opemer Sami Aslam for six in the fifth over of the day and returned to also prise out Asad Shafiq when he had scored 68.
Radford was quick to praise the Trinidadian’s performance, noting it was one of the best times he had seen him bowl.
“He was excellent. I was very pleased with Shannon Gabriel today,” Radford said.
“That was as well as I’ve seen him bowl – good pace, very aggressive and held a very good line and length – so he had a terrific day. I was very, very pleased for him.”
The day was highlighted by veteran Younis Khan’s 33rd Test hundred as he carved out a composed 127 while captain Misbah-ul-Haq was closing in on his 11th Test century, unbeaten at the close on 90.
