Despite a fighting hundred by Darren Bravo, Pakistan pulled off a tension-packed 56-run victory against West Indies in the first day-night Test of the series in Dubai on Monday.
Bravo kept Pakistan's victory bid on hold during his resistance-filled 410-minute long 116 and it needed leg-spinner Yasir Shah to take a stunning two-handed catch to end his innings. West Indies were finally bowled for 289 with just 12 over left in the match.
Bravo lingered on his haunches at the crease for a minute before trudging back to the pavilion, disappointed at his dismissal after bringing so close a draw or an upset win.
Bravo's eighth Test hundred spiced with ten boundaries and a six had brought West Indies within 83 runs of victory and 27 overs to bat for a draw after they were set a daunting target of 346 runs to win.
The match was a good endorsement of Test cricket as it had a triple hundred (302 not out) by Azhar Ali, 8-49 by leg-spinner Bishoo and two fighting knocks by Bravo.
Pakistan would not have hoped to struggle that much after getting the important wicket of Marlon Samuels with the first ball of the day, but Bravo left them frustrated and close to capitulation.
This was cricket's second ever day-night Test played with a pink ball after Australia and New Zealand featured in the first at Adelaide in November last year.
The win is memorable for Pakistan as the match marked their 400th Test since they began the five-day format in 1952.
Bravo first added 77 for the fifth wicket with Roston Chase (35) and then another 69 for the seventh with skipper Jason Holder who made 40 not-out.
Pakistan had taken the second new ball with West Indies at 224 for the loss of six wickets and Bravo needing four for hundred. Bravo smashed an uppish drive off Amir's first ball to backward point boundary to complete his magnificent hundred after 329-minutes of defiance.
Bravo and Holder took the West Indies within 100 runs of victory in 41 overs after they reached dinner at 232/6.
Chase, famous for his 137 not-out at Jamaica which helped West Indies draw a Test against India in July this year, gave full support to Bravo as the duo frustrated Pakistan.
Pakistan's hopes rested on Shah who was not at his best despite the good turn on offer. He finally got his first wicket when he bowled Chase from across his feet.
Pakistan later dismissed the visitors for 289 and took a one-nil lead in the three match Test series.
The remaining two Tests will be played in Abu Dhabi (21-25 October) and Sharjah (30 October-3 November).
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