Published: May 13, 2017, 04:58 PM (IST)
Edited: May 13, 2017, 04:58 PM (IST)
West Indies resume fourth day of the third Test against Pakistan at Roseau, Dominica on 218 for 5, still trailing Pakistan by 158 runs. Shane Dowrich is batting on 20, while skipper Jason Holder has scored 11. Yasir Shah has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler with 3 wickets – all of which came in the first session of Day Three. Roston Chase was playing really well until he was hit near the elbow by a Mohammad Aamer-bouncer. West Indies will hope that the all-rounder has recovered and will come out to bat at some point on Day Four. West Indies on Day Four will be looking to go past Pakistan’s total. They have gone at a slow pace till now and batting will be even tougher on the remaining days. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: PAK vs WI 2017, 3rd Test
West Indies have managed to counter the Pakistan seamers quite easily. Out of the five wickets to fall, only one wicket has gone to a fast bowler. Reverse swing was expected to play a major role, but in the end it was the new ball that did the trick, as Mohammad Abbas trapped Vishaul Singh in front. Pakistan will perhaps rue dropping leg-spinner Shadab Khan and pick fast bowler Hasan Ali as there seems to be a little more purchase for the spinners.
Yasir’s role as a result becomes a little more crucial. Part-timer Azhar Ali, who dismissed Shai Hope on Day Three, too could be given a few more overs. However, West Indies will have to get as close as possible to Pakistan’s total. Even if they take a slender lead, they might be able to force a draw or if they manage to bowl really well, like they did in the previous match, they can even go on to win the match. Pakistan will make life as difficult as possible for West Indies. They bowled really well on Day Three and would perhaps feel that they deserved a few more wickets.
West Indies do not have much batting left after Dowrich and Holder. Hence, it becomes all the more important for Chase to come out and resume his innings. Devendra Bishoo can hang around a bit, but the trio of Dowrich, Holder and Chase will have to do bulk of the scoring. Although Yasir has been a tad expensive, he has been Pakistan’s prime wicket-taker. He will have to bowl a long spell on Day Four as well. With the fast bowlers holding one end up, Yasir will be entrusted to pick up a few wickets at the other end. Regardless, West Indies’ first target will be to wipe out the deficit and take a slender lead, if possible.
On Day Two, Pakistan were bowled out for 376. Azhar Ali led the way with a well composed 127. Babar Azam, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed chipped in with vital fifties as well. Chase was West Indies’ star with the ball as well. He picked up four wickets in Pakistan’s first innings, while Holder picked up three. Alzarri Joseph and Bishoo were the other wicket-takers for West Indies.
West Indies won the toss on Day One and elected to bowl first. They have gone into this match with an unchanged side. Pakistan on the other hand have made a couple of changes – Shan Masood comes in place of Ahmed Shehzad and Hasan Ali replaces Shadab Khan. The three-match series is levelled at 1-1.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 376 (Azhar Ali 127, Misbah-ul-Haq 59; Roston Chase 4 for 103, Jason Holder 3 for 71) lead West Indies 218 for 5 (Kieran Powell 31, Roston Chase 60 (retired hurt); Yasir Shah 3 for 108, Azhar Ali 1 for 15) by 158 runs.
