Published: Oct 31, 2016, 04:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 31, 2016, 05:39 PM (IST)
West Indies found their way back in the race as Roston Chase and Kraigg Brathwaite take visitors to 141 for 4 at Tea on Day 2 of the final Test at Sharjah. Mohammad Aamer continued to hog on the limelight with a wicket of Jermaine Blackwood, but Pakistan bowlers could not build upon the early wicket in the second session. Chase and Brathwaite built 73-run stand, while the the latter also got his 12th Test half-century for his patient innings. So far Aamer, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz and Zulfiqar Babar got wicket apiece. Misbah-ul-Haq also introduced Mohammad Nawaz who produced no luck with wickets. Brathwaite and Chase’s partnership has now kept West Indies trailing by 140 runs, both playing at 55 and 43 respectively. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test at Abu Dhabi
Yasir began the attack post Lunch and was punished as Blackwood was off the mark for a boundary all the way towards deep mid-wicket. Meanwhile, Brathwaite continued his form and went for a boundary every over. Brathwaite saw his side collapsing until Lunch and just then Blackwood also became the target of Pakistan bowlers and this time Aamer getting a wicket to keep hosts in the race. Chase was the new batsman to enter at No. 5. Chase and Brathwaite got some momentum to the side that was falling apart, after brilliant bowling display on Day 1. Misbah tried various bowling combinations but Chase and Brathwaite were going steady and secured much needed partnership of fifty runs between them.
Brathwaite secured half-century with his patient and composed batting technique. Chase and Brathwaite built further with their partnership to build to build the lead for West Indies. They got 103 runs in this session and the former batsman Brathwaite is waiting to get a big knock and end the chase with ‘Chase’, who has already shown his caliber in pressure situations against India at West Indies and is raring repeat the same stance.
West Indies got off to a disastrous start, with opener Leon Johnson trapped leg-before by paceman Riaz in the fourth over for just one. Bravo, who made a fighting hundred in the first Test, was left frustrated by short-pitched deliveries from Riaz and Amir before getting out. Marlon Samuels also did not last long, trapped leg-before by leg-spinner Yasir without scoring to leave West Indies struggling. ALSO READ: Lunch Report: Pakistan bowlers rule as West Indies head for Lunch at 38/3
Before heading for Lunch, West Indies had lost the key wicket of Darren Bravo and were a shaky 38-3, trailing by 243 runs. Bravo miscued a drive off a flighted ball from spinner Zulfiqar Babar and was smartly snapped up by a diving Mohammad Amir at extra cover, his first catch in 20 Tests. At the break in Sharjah, opener Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood were at the crease playing at 21 and 0 respectively. For West Indies, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo finished with figures of 4 for 77 while fast bowlers Shannon Gabriel took 3 for 67 and Alzarri Joseph 2 for 57 to dismiss Pakistan for 281.
Pakistan earlier added 26 to their overnight score before losing Amir for 20 and Shah for 12, both to Joseph. The pair added 32 for the ninth wicket. Pakistan are targeting a 3-0 whitewash after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs and the second in Abu Dhabi by 133.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 281 (Sami Aslam 74, Misbah-ul-Haq 53, Sarfraz Ahmed 51; Shannon Gabriel 3 for 67, Devendra Bishoo 4 for 77) trail West Indies 141 for 4 (Kraigg Brathwaite 55*, Roston Chase 43*; Zulfiqar Babar 1 for 24) by 140 runs
