Amir five-for, Holder fifty lift gloom on rain-hit day

Only 11.3 overs of play was possible at Sabina Park on a frustrating Saturday (April 22), the second day of the first Test. In that time, Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir, the left-arm fast bowler, completed a five-wicket haul and Jason Holder, the West Indies captain, reached a fifth half-century as the West Indies reached 278 for 9.

Heavy overnight rain left a sodden outfield, delaying the start of play by four hours. Showers returned in the afternoon with greater ferocity, allowing just 55 minutes of play.

Resuming on 244 for 7, Holder and Devendra Bishoo extended their eighth-wicket stand to 75 against the second new ball. Bishoo became Amir’s first wicket of the day and fourth of the innings, caught behind on an edge for 28.

Amir then bowled Alzarri Joseph for a duck, achieving his first five-wicket haul since returning to international cricket following a five-year ban for spot-fixing.

He had figures of 5 for 41 off 24.3 overs.

Holder, meanwhile, reached his half-century by hoisting debutant Mohammed Abbas for a straight six.

He was batting on 55 off 69 balls with two sixes and seven fours when the rain came down and play was eventually called off early.

He will resume alongside Shannon Gabriel, who is batting on 4, on the third day, weather permitting.

On the first day, fifties by Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich had rescued the home side from 71 for 5.

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