Match against Guyana ends in draw

Pakistan bowlers toil before the rain

GEORGETOWN: Pakistan’s bowlers discovered that the conditions in the Caribbean can be unforgiving, when they drew their tour match against Guyana on Monday. Saeed Ajmal took two wickets for 41 runs from 15 overs, but no other bowler made an impression on the docile Bourda Oval pitch, as Guyana reached 252 for six, in response to Pakistanis’ first innings total of 330 for seven declared on the final day of the two-day match. The visitors’ bowlers toiled before rain stopped play about 40 minutes before the scheduled close, after Guyana’s batsmen resisted with Shemroy Barrington leading the way with 58, and fellow opener Trevon Griffith supporting with 55.

Pakistan also faced resistance from veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul in a knock of 44, and fellow West Indies left-hander Narsingh Deonarine with 40. Griffith shared 77 for the first wicket with Barrington before he was caught behind off Tanvir Ahmed. Barrington then put on 63 for the second wicket with Deonarine before he was lbw to Ajmal, leaving Guyana 140 for two. The Guyanese continued to bat resolutely with Chanderpaul holding court for almost three hours, but Junaid Khan bowled him just prior to the change in the weather that prompted an earlier than scheduled close. The match was Pakistan’s only warm-up prior to the first Test against West Indies which opens on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium. Pakistan are searching for their first Test series victory on Caribbean soil.

Brief scores:

Pakistan: 330 for seven declared

Guyana: 252 for six