1st Test: Pakistan v West Indies at Dubai

DUBAI: Fourteen years ago Azhar Ali came on as a substitute fielder to see Inzamam-ul-Haq score an epic triple hundred in Lahore and wished he could emulate the legendary Pakistan batsman in future.

On Friday Ali notched his own with an unbeaten 302 against West Indies in the second ever day-night Test in Dubai to join a select league of batsmen.

But what distinguishes the 31-year-old from the rest of the triple centurions is that he became the first batsman in day-night Test cricket to achieve the landmark.

"I still remember I was sent to the ground as a substitute fielder on the day when Inzamam scored that epic triple century," said Ali of Inzamam's 329 against New Zealand in Lahore in May 2002.

"Now I have my own and it's a great achievement for which I am proud and can't explain my feelings. It is something which I will remember my whole life," said Ali whose innings guided Pakistan to an imperious 579-3 declared.

His was the fourth triple hundred by a Pakistani batsman.

Apart from him and Inzamam, late Hanif Mohammad knocked 337 against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1958 and Younis Khan made 313 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2009.

Ali said he had also watched Younis's triple and missed the senior batsman who had to withdraw from Dubai Test as he was still recovering from dengue fever.

"Of course, I missed Younis in this match," said Ali. "He has always been my role model and I was sitting on his seat in the dressing room so I had to keep the honour of that seat as well.

"I am proud that I have matched him because whenever he scores a hundred he takes it to double or big scores," said Ali of Younis who is Pakistan's highest Test run-getter with 9456 in 108 matches.

Since his arrival on the international scene, Ali has impressed with his resolute batting and is likely to anchor Pakistan's batting once Younis and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq leave the stage.

He has already replaced Misbah as captain of the one-day team.

Ali dedicated his triple hundred to his parents and also to the people of his nation.

"First, I want to dedicate my achievement to my parents who have always guided me in my life and next to the people of my country who must keep their minds clear and not let them affect when we don't do well."

Ali believed the pink ball -- used in the day-night Test instead of the traditional red -- did not cause any difficulties.

"The pink ball did not cause any problems, we sighted it well and that's why scored runs so I am okay with it," said Ali.

Manufacturers of the pink ball modified its seam from green and white after players had complained sighting problems in the first-ever day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide last year.
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I thought the crowd was supposed to turn up on the "holiday" on Friday in Dubai .

46 people in the stands for the start of Day 3.

Pakistanis/expats in Dubai are there to WORK. Every day. Emiratis don't care about cricket. Hence, empty stands.

Yasir Shah strikes in his first over: Kraigg Brathwaite is bowled playing down the wrong line

Yasir Shah to Brathwaite, OUT, Wicket No. 97 for Yasir. Hits the top of the off stump. He lobs this one up, Kraigg is opened up and plays inside the line of this delivery. The ball doesn't break much, instead drifts into the right-hander. Kraigg is caught playing down the wrong line. First wicket on the third day without any addition to WI's overnight tally

Imran Tahir: It wasn't an easy decision for me but such opportunities and chances do not come around every day. To leave my family especially my parents, friends and my country was a very tough decision. But my wife was in South Africa and it was a decision that I had to make. It was one of those situations where in order to gain something, I had to lose something.

shots by marlon 444444444444

England have four spinners this winter, but who do you think should play? http://www.alloutcricket.com/blogs/engla...-conundrum …

England have picked four specialist spin bowlers for their Test tour of Bangladesh, with the same squad expected to travel to India. When selecting their final XI, England’s selectors should observe the recent records of India’s heavily right-handed batting line-up.

With a squad full of allrounders and bowlers-who-bat, England have plenty of options when putting together their Test XI this winter.

In addition to Joe Root’s part-time offies, there are four specialist spinners in England’s party: two off-spinners in Moeen Ali and Gareth Batty, a leg-spinner in Adil Rashid and an orthodox left-arm spinner in Zafar Ansari.

FIFTY for Samuels (82b, 8x4). WI 138-2 (50) Samuels 50, DM Bravo 30