West Indies vs Pakistan 2017, 3rd Test: Day 1, 5 talking points

A solid 120 run partnership between Azhar Ali and Babar Azam turned an overcast day 1 at Roseau in favour of Pakistan. The visitors lost Azam towards the end but ended up on 169/2 as bad light stopped play at Dominica in the series decider.

Despite being damp, the pitch produced considerable turn as evidenced by Roston Chase getting rid of Shan Masood, who replaced an injured Ahmed Shehzad. Bishoo almost got rid of Azam if not for a drop behind the stumps and that kind of turn would encourage Yasir Shah.

The West Indian bowlers were tidy throughout the day but did not manage to extract enough life out of the pitch to break the Azam-Ali stand. When Joseph eventually got rid of Azam, Younis Khan walked out to a guard of honour on his final Test. The veteran batsman remained unbeaten at stumps.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 169/2 (Ali 85*, Azam 55, Chase 1/27)

Take a look at the major talking points from Day 1 at Dominica.

#5 Roston Chase, the surprise bowling change

Jason Holder spun a surprise when he introduced Roston Chase, a part-time spinner in the ninth over of the Test when the conditions were still overcast and there was movement on offer. The West Indian fast bowlers were dominating and had bowled with heart when Holder made a bizarre bowling change.

Surprisingly though, Chase extracted good bounce and turn and had the Pakistani opener, Shan Masood in a tangle. The southpaw just couldn't lay bat to ball against Chase, who was helped by the footmarks of the seamers. Masood succumbed eventually, edging Chase to Holder at second slip.

#4 Babar Azam's fortuitous half-century

Azam was lucky to be dropped but made the most of his reprieve

Babar Azam cracked the fourth half-century of his Test career but it was not without hiccups. After the early loss of Masood, Azhar Ali and Azam had taken Pakistan to a point of safety with a slow yet rigid partnership.

The spinners were getting turn and Bishoo spun one across Azam, who nicked the ball to Dowrich only for him to drop a fairly regulation catch.

The Pakistani no.3 was only on 28 then and the miss will go down as a huge blow. The pair eventually put on 120.

#3 Shannon Gabriel's injury scare

Gabriel survived an injury scare to deliver some sharp spells

West Indies got an early injury scare when their premier strike bowler, Shannon Gabriel walked off the ground with a niggle. The hosts had just three quickies and had they lost Gabriel so early in the game it would have crippled them.

Thankfully for Holder and co, Gabriel returned to the field and bowled without any discomfort. In fact, the skiddy seamer was the pick of the fast bowlers, extracting seam movement and bounce from the wicket. Despite remaining wicketless, the Pakistani batsmen never got comfortable against him.

He ended the day with an economy rate of 1.68, which was the best of the five bowlers used by Holder.

#2 Azhar Ali continues to pile on the runs

Azhar Ali looked in sublime touch on day 1 for Pakistan

The veteran Pakistani opener has extended his dominance on West Indies with yet another half-century that could very well turn into a century on Day 2.

His 120 run stand with Babar Azam was slow but steadied the team under conditions suitable for bowling.

West Indies never got a chance against the mercurial Ali, who played the pacers and spinners equally well. Ali ended his day on 85, making the 26th half-century of his Test career. If he prolongs his stay at the crease and helps Pakistan to a good total, West Indies are in deep trouble considering the manner in which the ball is turning with four days left.

#1 Younis Khan walks out to a guard of honour

With rain a constant threat in this match, Younis may well be playing his final Test inning

The day has finally arrived when Pakistan have to bid goodbye to two of their middle-order stalwarts, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. The former stepped in to bat at the closing stages of Day 1 when Babar Azam was dismissed for 55 by Alzarri Joseph.

The West Indian players formed a guard of honour for Younis and the veteran batsman walked through it as light descended at the Dominica.

The crowd applauded a wonderful career as Younis made his way to the wicket after shaking hands with Jason Holder. He remained unbeaten on 11 at stumps to bat for yet another day.