Published: May 12, 2017, 04:19 PM (IST)
Edited: May 12, 2017, 04:19 PM (IST)
West Indies ended Day Two of the third Test at Roseau, Dominica at 14 for no loss, still trailing Pakistan by 362 runs. West Indies managed to bowl Pakistan out for 376, letting them score just 207 runs on Day Two and picking up 8 wickets. Azhar Ali scored his 14th Test ton, while there were useful contributions from Babar Azam (55), Misbah-ul-Haq (59) and Sarfraz Ahmed (51). Roston Chase and Jason Holder shared 7 wickets between them. West Indies put up a disciplined bowling performance, not letting Pakistan run away with the match at any point. However, their batsmen will have to deliver on Day Three after their bowlers did a fine job on Day Two. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs West Indies 2017, 3rd Test at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica
West Indies need a further 163 runs to avoid the follow-on. West Indies have a largely inexperienced middle-order and can be prone to collapses. This makes avoiding the follow-on more vital. Pakistan, on the other hand, will gun for some early wickets on Day Three to put pressure back on the hosts. Their bowling unit has done well in the series so far. The inclusion of another pacer — debutant Hasan Ali — has made their bowling stronger. We have already seen the likes of Roston Chase and Devendra Bishoo generate turn as well; Yasir Shah, Pakistan’s lone spinner in the Test, is likely to get a similar purchase from the wicket.
To everyone’s surprise, the rain stayed away on Day Two after washing away an entire session on the opening day. There was slight drizzle at the end of the day but did not pick up the pace for the day’s play to be shortened. Showers are expected on Day Three as well, but after one can only hope that it does not affect the day’s proceedings. Like Day Two, play on Day Three too will start half an hour before the scheduled time.
West Indies will bank on one of the top three to get a big score. Others to need to chip in with meaty contributions for West Indies to get anywhere close to Pakistan’s total. Pakistan maintained a slow pace throughout their innings. West Indies have some good stroke makers in their line-up, but also have batsmen like Kraigg Brathwaite, who can hold one end up.
This will also be a good chance for the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Vishaul Singh, both of whom made their debuts in the series to make a substantial contribution.
As the match progresses, the pitch will begin to assist the spinners even more. Chase was able to hit the rough patches right from Day One to generate spin. Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Aamer have been accurate throughout the series, which may make up for them having a solitary spinner. Reverse-swing may play a part for them as the ball gets older as well.
West Indies will need to get some sort of lead to stay alive in this match. That may not happen today, but the batsmen can certainly set a good platform, something that will enable them to take lead at some point on Day Four.
West Indies had earlier elected to bowl first. They did not make any change to their XI. In fact, they have retained the same team throughout the series. Pakistan, on the other hand, have handed a Test cap to Hasan here, and have recalled Shan Masood for an ill Ahmed Shehzad.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 376 (Azhar Ali 127, Misbah-ul-Haq 59; Roston Chase 4 for 103, Jason Holder 3 for 71) lead West Indies 14 for no loss (Kraigg Brathwaite 5*, Kieran Powell 9*) by 362 runs.
