Azhar salutes after scoring his maiden triple century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali joined an elite club after he scored his maiden triple century against the West Indies on the second day of the first Test in Dubai.
Azhar became only the fourth triple centurion for Pakistan, achieving the feat after Hanif Mohammad in January 1958, Inzamam-ul-Haq in May 2002 and Younis Khan in February 2009.
Starting off the day on 279/1, Azhar and Asad Shafiq converted their 64-run partnership into a 137-run stand, during which Azhar surpassed the 150-run mark and Shafiq his half-century, before Shafiq was caught and bowled by Devendra Bishoo for 67 off 119 balls, which included eight boundaries.
The runs kept on flowing for Pakistan as Azhar and debutant Babar Azam put together a 165-run partnership, during which Azhar brought up his second double century in Tests and Azam his maiden fifty, before Azam became Bishoo’s second victim on 69, which came off 105 deliveries and included five boundaries.
Azam scored a fifty on debut
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
An unbeaten 62-run stand between Azhar and captain Misbah-ul-Haq saw Azhar bring up a triple century for the first time in his career. Following this landmark achievement, Misbah decided to declare with his side on 579/3, the highest total Pakistan have managed to amass in an innings of a Test match in the United Arab Emirates. The previous record was the 570/6 they accumulated against Australia in October-November 2014 in Abu Dhabi.
Azhar broke the record for the highest Test score in the United Arab Emirates with his career-best knock of 302, which came off 469 balls and included 23 boundaries and two sixes. Misbah, meanwhile, remained undefeated on 29 off 38 deliveries, which included one boundary.
Bishoo was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Roston Chase chipped in with one.
Trailing by 579 runs, the West Indies got off to a solid start before opening batsman Leon Johnson was trapped lbw off the bowling of Yasir Shah for 15.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo guided the West Indies safely to stumps with their unbeaten 27-run partnership.
Brathwaite scored 32 not out, which came off 71 balls and included four boundaries, while Bravo made 14 not out, which came off 29 deliveries and included one boundary and a six.
Yasir claimed the sole wicket that fell.
The West Indies ended day two on 69/1 and will continue batting on Saturday at 15:30 local time or 11:30 GMT.