Openers Azhar & Sami give Pakistan superb start in 279-1

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Pakistan openers Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam decimated the West Indies with a double-century stand as their team cruised to 279-1 on the opening day of the second ever day-night cricket test on Thursday.

Azhar marked Pakistan's 400th test with an unbeaten 146, hitting 14 boundaries. Aslam made 90, missing out on his maiden hundred in his fifth test after captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bat.

Both batsmen shared a 215-run partnership in nearly five hours, before Aslam was bowled by offspinner Roston Chase for the West Indies' lone success.

The inexperienced West Indies bowlers struggled with the pink ball, often appearing to go through the motions on a flat pitch. Azhar and Aslam batted resolutely and were hardly troubled.

Pakistan awarded debuts to 21-year-old Babar Azam, who scored three successive centuries in the preceding one-day international series, and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz.