Dubai: Rival captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Jason Holder praised the fight till last attitude in the first day-night Test played with Pakistan upstaging West Indies by 56 runs in the final hour on Monday.
West Indies were led in their fight by Darren Bravo who smashed 116 during his 410-minute of defiance before Pakistan dismissed them for 289 with just 12 overs remaining in the match — the second ever in Test cricket’s history.
Misbah said the match was good for Test cricket.
“It was a good Test and good for the Test cricket with everything in it,” said Misbah after the victory. “You need Test matches like that and credit to West Indies to put such a fight.”
Pakistan had amassed 579-3 declared in their first innings courtesy an epic 302 not out by opener Azhar Ali. West Indies conceded a 222-run first innings lead but hit back hard by dismissing Pakistan for a paltry 123 in their second knock, thanks to a career best 8-49 by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
Misbah praised Bravo for giving Pakistan a scare. “West Indies batsmen showed good resilience and credit must be given to them,” said Misbah of the rival team who batted for 109 overs on a last day Dubai stadium pitch.
This was the longest batting by a West Indies team in the fourth innings of a Test since their 105.1 over innings against India in Kolkata in 1978. Misbah admitted he was nervous and worried, with just 100 needed and Bravo at the crease.
“I know how I spent time on the fourth day and in the last session on the last day. It was tough for the team as well as for the captain. You were ahead of them for three days but in one session he (Bravo) gave the advantage to them,” said Misbah.
