Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 4: Yasir Shah’s 6-for, Shai Hope’s stubborn knock and other highlights

There were some exceptional performances from both sides that kept everyone on toes throughout the day. So let’s have a look at some of the highlights that grabbed the attention:

You bowl and I catch - Younis Khan to Yasir Khan © AFP — You bowl and I catch – Younis Khan to Yasir Khan © AFP

Yasir Shah struck gold for Pakistan towards the end of day’s play on Day Four to restrict West Indies to 264 for 9. Despite that, West Indies have a healthy lead of 183 runs thanks to a stubborn knock from Shai Hope (90), who added 80 with Vishaul Singh (32) on Day Four. There were some quality performances from both sides that kept everyone on toes throughout the day. Let us have a look at some of the highlights that grabbed the attention: Full Cricket Scorecard, Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test at Barbados

Younis Khan and the art of catching: Younis Khan Took 2 breathtaking catches on Day Four, first to dismiss opener Kraigg Brathwaite and then West Indies skipper Jason Holder.

Brathwaite c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 43 (111)

Yasir changed the angle coming around the wicket against Brathwaite. He pitched it well outside leg and spun it across the right-hander Brathwaite. A rough patch helped the ball bounce. Brathwaite looked to defend but got squared up and failed to keep the ball down. It took the shoulder of the bat and flew towards the slips. Younis moved to his right at full stretch and took a superb one-handed catch.

Holder c Younis Khan b Yasir Shah 1(5)

Yasir bowled a wrong ’un to Holder. It pitched outside off, Holder tried to trudge it through cover but got a thick outside edge. The edge brushed wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed’s gloves, and Younis stretched himself to his left to complete the catch.

Shai Hope’s stubborn knock: West Indies needed a good partnership. They needed someone who could read Yasir and Shadab Khan. They lost the overnight batting pair of Shimron Hetmyer and Brathwaite in the first session. But then came Hope, who batted grittily, showing a dead bat to. Yasir came round the wicket. Misbah-ul-Haq deployed a forward short-leg and two slips — one fine, the other wide. But using his height, Hope went down to the pitch of the ball nullifying the spin and the bounce. He also moved back several times and pushed the ball towards leg for crucial singles.

The West Indies downfall: At one point, West Indies were at a comfortable position of 235 for 4 courtesy Hope and Vishaul. But then came Yasir to dismantle the West Indies domination. Utilising the Day Four wicket to its full extent he got rid of Hope off the last ball of an over.

Mohammad Abbas cleaned up Vishaul with the first ball of the next over. Some hopes lay on Holder as he had batted brilliantly in the first innings. But a wrong ’un undid him. Shane Dowrich tried his best to see off the day with Devendra Bishoo, but he too god undone by a tossed up quicker delivery — making him Yasir’s fifth wicket of the innings.

Alzarri Joseph then tried to flick Yasir against the turn and hit it straight to Aamer at short mid-wicket.

Yasir Shah and the 6: Let’s take a glance at the 6 wickets Yasir took on Day Four.

1. Brathwaite c Younis b Yasir 43 (111) — Mentioned above

2. Chase c and b Yasir 23 (83)

Yasir pitched it up. The ball slowed a bit after pitching. Chase got tricked into it and chipped the ball back to Yasir who collects it easily.

3. Hope c Azhar b Yasir 90 (209)

Yasir tossed up outside off, The ball slowed after pitching as well. Hope failed to get to the pitch of the ball and drove straight to Azhar Ali at extra cover.

4. Holder c Younis b Yasir 1 (5) – Mentioned above

5. Dowrich c Shafiq b Yasir 2 (10)

Yasir tossed it up on off. The ball spun away and kissed the glove of Dowrich who tried to defend. The ball flew towards the slips. Younis and Asad Shafiq almost collided, but in the end Shafiq took it comfortably.

6. Joseph c Aamer b Yasir Shah 7(11)

Joseph miscued as his wrists turned against a full-toss from Yasir. He hit straight to Aamer at mid-wicket.

Brief scores:

West Indies 312 and 264 for 9 (Kraigg Brathwaite 43, Shai Hope 90, Vishaul Singh 32; Yasir Shah 6 for 90, Mohammad Abbas 2 for 57) lead Pakistan 393 (Azhar Ali 104, Misbah-ul-Haq 99; Devendra Bishoo 3 for 104, Jason Holder 2 for 23) by 183 runs.