DUBAI // This Test match was characterised by a series of spurious “firsts,” most of which will have lost their novelty factor by the time the players board their respective buses for the next challenge in Abu Dhabi.
The first Test century against a pink ball under lights. The first double. The first treble (maybe that one will last the course). The first eight-for using a pink ball (maybe that, too).
The one that will be seared in the memory the longest, though, will be the first time a seminal moment has arrived at 9.40pm on the final day of a Test.
It was purely about the theatre of the moment: a catch for the ages by Pakistan’s champion bowler, to end an innings for the ages.
Darren Bravo had been heroic in his management of both the West Indies run chase, and in navigating the threat of Yasir Shah.
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• Day 1: A lukewarm debut for day/night in Dubai, but plenty of runs for Pakistan
Then, with West Indies needing 83 for a stunning, unforeseen win, with four wickets left, the leg spinner induced an inside edge from an uppish drive, dived to his left like superman, and held on to the catch.
Pakistan’s paroxysm of delight and relief was in direct contrast to the utter dejection of Bravo. Everyone in the ground stood to acclaim the batsman for his effort, not least Yasir, who applauded his combatant all the way from the field.
The West Indies could not survive his departure, and eventually succumbed 56 runs and 50 minutes from safety. Many thought this sort of pluck was beyond them, though.
The death of their cricket has been foretold for decades now. There is good reason for it. Star players and the administration are frequently at impasse. They have no head coach. And no Test wins in 12 matches now.
Recent times have undoubtedly been gory. But, we should not forget, Caribbean teams are world champions in three formats. And every so often their players provide a glimpse of the majesty of the past.
Step forward, on this occasion, Bravo. The Trinidadian left-hander batted like peak Brian Lara (albeit, a more sedate version) in this match.
It was with assurance, style, and canniness, in particular to blunt the spin threat. The way he countered Yasir, Pakistan’s main weapon, was of the highest class.
One shot, when he cut against the spin, from a ball that Yasir spun sharply out of the rough, for four, defied convention and logic.
Even though the ball turned prodigiously into him, it found the middle of Bravo’s bat, and was sent onwards to the boundary. He did similar with front-foot drives out of the rough, twice, shortly afterwards.
When he reached three figures, with a whiplash drive through backward point that again brought to mind Lara, Bravo briefly contemplated what he had done.
Then he leapt high in the air, hugged his batting partner Jason Holder, and waved his bat in the direction of Kurt Duncan, the most vocal West Indian supporter in the stands — and a fellow Trinidadian.
While Bravo did not deserve to be on the losing team, Pakistan were deserving of their win. But as the teams head to the capital, both of them are looking upwards.
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