Windies face tall order in second cricket Test against Pakistan

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

West Indies were plunged into survival mode with two days of the second Test remaining after their suspect batting failed on the third day here yesterday, allowing Pakistan to take a vice grip on the contest at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Needing a huge first-innings effort after resuming on 106 for four in reply to Pakistan's 452, West Indies were dismissed for an average 224, 20 minutes before the scheduled tea break, to concede a deficit of 228 runs.

Pakistan then dug in to reach the close on 114 for one, already 342 runs ahead, leaving West Indies with the distinct prospect of their second straight Test defeat and yet another series loss.

First Test triple century maker Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 52, while his opening partner Sami Aslam made 50 before falling 25 minutes before the close.

STRONG PARTNERSHIP

The pair put on 93, a partnership which further demoralised West Indies before the outstanding Shannon Gabriel broke the stand when he had the 20-year-old Aslam caught at the wicket by Shai Hope. He was initially adjudged not out, but the decision was overturned on review. The left-hander faced 111 balls and stroked five fours.

Azhar, meanwhile, who has, so far, hit two fours in an innings requiring 102 deliveries, enjoyed a slice of luck when he was given lbw to part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite on 10, after missing a sweep.

However, a subsequent review showed the ball had struck the glove first and the decision was overturned.

The damage had been done earlier when West Indies failed to produce anything of worth with the bat, losing their last six wickets for the addition of 118 runs.

Captain Jason Holder hammered an unbeaten 31, Roston Chase got 22, and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo, 20, but the big innings required never materialised.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah picked up another three wickets to end with best figures of four for 86, while left-arm seamer Rahat Ali claimed three for 45 and pacer Sohail Khan, two for 35.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN 1st innings 452

WEST INDIES 1st innings

(overnight 106 for four)

L Johnson lbw b Rahat Ali 12

D Bravo lbw b Yasir Shah 43

K Brathwaite run out 21

M Samuels c Sami Aslam b Rahat Ali 30

D Bishoo b Sohail Khan 20

J Blackwood c wkp Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 8

R Chase c Asad Shafiq b Yasir Shah 22

+S Hope b Yasir Shah 11

*J Holder not out 31

M Cummins b Sohail Khan 3

S Gabriel c Sohail Khan b Yasir Shah 13

Extras (b2, lb7, nb1) 10

TOTAL (all out, 94.4 overs) 224

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-65, 3-106, 4-106, 5-121, 6-144, 7-169, 8-178, 9-197, 10-224.

Bowling: Rahat Ali 21-8-45-3, Sohail Khan 19-8-35-2, Zulfiqar Babar 21-6-39-0, Asad Shafiq 1-0-2-0, Yasir Shah 28.4-6-86-4.

PAKISTAN 2nd innings

Sami Aslam c wkp Hope b Gabriel 50

Azhar Ali not out 52

Asad Shafiq not out 5

Extras (b4, lb1, nb2) 7

TOTAL (1 wkt, 39 overs) 114

Fall of wicket: 1-93.

Bowling: Gabriel 8-1-21-1 (nb2), Cummins 3-0-5-0, Brathwaite 13-2-27-0, Bishoo 12-0-45-0, Holder 3-0-11-0.

Position: Pakistan lead by 342 runs.

Toss: Pakistan.

Umpires: M Gough, R Illingworth; TV - P Reiffel.