West Indies captain, Kraigg Brathwaite toiled through the second day of the opening Test against Pakistan but was disappointed to be run out on 97.
West Indies entered the second day on 2-2 responding to Pakistan’s 217 in the first innings and it took a captain’s innings from the 29-year-old who made 97 from 221 balls in his six-hour vigil to steer his side to a 36-run first innings lead.
Brathwaite partnered fisrt with Roston Chase and then Jason Holder to add 50 and 96 runs respectively before a direct hit from Hasan Ali found him short of his ground.
After the match, the right hander told the media, “Well I am very disappointed obviously then by run out but at the end of the day, the team is in a good position and I am happy about that.”
The captain reckoned that his innings was vital to the Test, saying “I thought it was key, you know as the opening batsman my job is to make it easier for the guys to come, in all honesty we lost a few wickets so it was really key for me to bat as along as possible [but] unfortunate that I am out now but I am really fortunate to put the team in a good position.”
Brathwaite was adamant that the pitch had both offerings for fast bowlers and batsmen but it was patience that needed to be exercised in order to reap the rewards.
“I think the pitch has enough for the fast bowlers and batsmen once you’re disciplined, as a bowling unit they could get a lot of results with the ball moving and as a batter it is about patience…” the opener said.