Azhar Ali wins back Pakistan fans with triple century against West Indies in Dubai Test

Instead of jeers, Azhar was given a standing ovation as he became the fourth Pakistani to register a triple century – and the first from anywhere to make one in a Test in the UAE, writes Paul Radley.

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali, right, became the toast of the nation after scoring a triple century against West Indies in Dubai on Friday night. Aamir Qureshi / AFP
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DUBAI // Less than two weeks ago, some Pakistan supporters celebrated when Azhar Ali was dismissed in a one-day international in Sharjah. How times change.

A change of form and a switch in format later, and the undemonstrative 31-year-old batsman has become the toast of the nation.

Instead of jeers, Azhar was given a standing ovation as he became the fourth Pakistani to register a triple century – and the first from anywhere to make one in a Test in the UAE.

His 302 not out, from Pakistan’s first innings total of 579 for three at the Dubai International Stadium, was a great feat of stamina as much as it was skill. Fittingly, he celebrated the second century of his three with some press-ups. Such is the way for Pakistan.

Despite their excellence with the bat, Pakistan still have to go some to force a win in this first Test, on a pitch that seems nightmarish for bowlers.

When Test cricket first found its permanent home in the UAE, back in 2010, the groundsmen struggled to find the right balance for the format.

Having been tasked with satisfying a diet of exclusively limited-overs cricket until that point, this was suddenly a new challenge. Making a pitch last for more than 100 overs, while still providing a fair battle between bat and ball, was problematic.

Also from Dubai Test:

Pakistan Project: Paul Radley and Osman Samiuddin analyse Pakistan's rise

Quotes: Azhar Ali 'was sweating and getting cramp' on his way to 302

In pictures: Day 2 of Pakistan-West Indies day-night Test in Dubai

None of the first three matches after 2010 had a result. Respectively, 25, 27 and 27 wickets fell in the entirety of each of those games.

In the first exchanges of Asia’s first pink-ball Test, it feels as though the pitch provided might have over-compensated for the unknown variables in day-night Test cricket, too.

Most of the accepted norms of Test strategy are redundant. There is no morning moisture, on account of the fact there is no morning.

And, for all anyone knew before the start, the ball might swing round corners. Or it might – as it has done so far – just go straight.

Given that the first Test under lights, in Australia, finished within three days, it makes sense the groundstaff here would have thought to prepare a flat one.

The fact only four wickets have fallen in the first two days, for the concession of 648 runs suggests they might have erred too far on the side of caution.

It is, of course, right to point out that it is wrong to judge a pitch before both sides have batted on it. West Indies came into this match with their spirits already wholly crushed by two 3-0 trouncings in the preceding limited-overs series.

The next three days will show whether the Caribbean side have any puff left. At least the way they have started, having got to stumps one wicket down, suggest they could be ready for the scrap.

The National verdict

Two days gone and just the four wickets down. For all Pakistan’s excellence with the bat in Dubai, and continued domination of the West Indies bowlers, forcing a win is going to be tough.

The pitch at Sports City could not be any more characteristic of a road, without erecting a roundabout and traffic lights on a length.

At least Yasir Shah, the main strike weapon for the hosts, has some rough to aim at on either side of the wickets.

The fact Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan have so far appeared impotent suggests there is much hard toil ahead.

pradley@thenational.ae

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