Lara battled for two and a half hours to try and rescue his side

"It did seam a bit but I don't think there were any demons in the pitch.

"We just didn't apply ourselves as we should on the first day of a Test match," said Lara, who was out for 61.

"I was expecting more after the opening stand [of 41] by Gayle and Ganga. But one must give credit to their bowlers, who exploited the conditions well."

Pace bowler Umar Gul was the chief destroyer for Pakistan, claiming five victims including Lara at a cost of 65 runs.

606 DEBATE: Can West Indies get back in the game?

"I was delighted to get his wicket. I didn't have a very good first spell and I was under pressure bowling to him.

"He gave glimpses of his greatness, so getting his wicket was very satisfactory," Gul commented.

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are Pakistan's first-choice new ball pair but were recently banned from the game after testing positive for a performance-enhancing steroid, nandrolone.

But they were not missed as Gul and new ball partner Shahid Nazir shared eight wickets between them.

"There was a huge responsibility on me in the absence of two main bowlers and I am happy that I have performed," Gul added.

Pakistan were 39-1 at close of play and West Indies will need an inspired effort from their own bowlers on day two to get them back into the match.

"Hopefully we can restrict them to a small total and get an opportunity to bat [again] and make a big score," said Lara.

The West Indies players, meanwhile, have been warned to take precautions against dengue fever, a disease caused by mosquito bites which has killed 37 people in Pakistan in the last four months.

"Our medical officials have spoken to the players and briefed them about the fever...the team doctor and physiotherapist are keeping a daily check on things and the players," said media officer Imran Khan.