Pakistan struggle after losing three early wickets

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BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis: Pakistan's top-order batting was again undermined by Ravi Rampaul, as the visitors limped to 46 for three in their first innings at lunch in the second Test against West
Indies on Friday.

Azhar Ali and Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq were both not out on 12 after the visitors were left reeling following a devastating opening burst from Rampaul, who claimed all three scalps for 13 runs from nine overs.

Greeted by a helpful Warner Park pitch, Pakistan were set back, when Taufeeq was caught behind for 11, too late in lifting his gloves out of the way of a rising delivery in Rampaul's fourth over.

The Pakistanis were under further pressure, when Mohammad Hafeez edged a forward defensive shot, and was caught at third slip for eight in the West Indies fast-medium bowler's fifth over.

Asad Shafiq then cut a short, wide delivery, and was caught at gully for a duck in Rampaul's seventh over to leave Pakistan wobbling on 24 for three.

But Azhar and Misbah stemmed the fall of wickets, when they resolutely batted through the remainder of the morning period, interrupted by a 10-minute stoppage for rain.

Pakistan made one change, replacing Umar Gul with left-arm fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed.

West Indies suffered a setback with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul sidelined with a sore shoulder to be replaced by Marlon Samuels as one of two changes.

The other sees Kraigg Brathwaite making his debut at the expense of left-hander Devon Smith.

Brathwaite becomes the fifth youngest West Indies Test player ever.

Pakistan trail 1-0 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing the visitors' dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean.