Azhar struck seven boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten knock of 85

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali scored an unbeaten 85 on a frustrating first day in Dominica that was plagued with rain delays.

Opting to bowl first, the West Indies got an early breakthrough as Pakistan opener Shan Masood was dismissed by Roston Chase for just nine runs.

Masood was brought into the side for fellow opener Ahmed Shehzad, who was ruled out of the match due to sea sickness and the fact that his mother is unwell and undergoing chemotherapy.

Azhar and Babar Azam made up for the early loss of Masood, but during the lunch break, the rain came and play was delayed.

Just two overs after the match resumed, the heavens parted again and the players had to return to the pavilion.

A little over 90 minutes later, the players returned to the field and Azhar and Azam continued where they had left off.

Both players went past their half-centuries during the stand, but Azam fell shortly after bringing up his fifty as he was removed by Alzarri Joseph for 55, which came off 124 balls and included three boundaries.

Azam scored his fourth Test fifty

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Azhar and Younis Khan, who is playing in his last Test match, managed to put together an unbeaten 30-run partnership before bad light brought play to an end for the day.

Azhar finished on 85 off 219 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, while Younis remained undefeated on 10.

Chase and Joseph picked up one wicket apiece.

Pakistan ended day one on 169/2 and will continue batting on Thursday at 10:00 local time or 14:00 GMT.