Wahab Riaz says pink ball, dew giving tough time to bowlers

DUBAI: The pink ball, along with dew and the UAE’s already slow wicket, seems to be giving a hard time to bowlers.

Wahab Riaz admitted difficulty in handling the novel pink cricket ball. Speaking to Geo News after stumps on Saturday, the pacer said bowlers were facing difficulty in taking wickets with the pink ball as they have not yet completely figured out how to handle the ball.

He said the slow wicket and the dew at night were making the bowlers’ job even harder, but added that the team would try its best to take wickets early on Sunday.

“It’s hard to bowl because the ball got wet and soft because of the dew, but our plan is to get wickets early on in the game and restrict West Indies from scoring,” Wahab said.

West Indies ended the day’s play at 315-6, still trailing Pakistan’s first innings total of 579-3-declared by 264 runs. Shane Dowrich was unbeaten on 27 with skipper Jason Holder 10 not out at the close of play.

Earlier Darren Bravo defied a potent bowling attack to score 87 during a 402-minute stay at the crease while Samuels made 76.

Wahab and leg-spinner Yasir Shah finished with two wickets apiece.