Fawad Alam’s fifth Take a look at century and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s new ball efficiency pushed Pakistan into the ascendancy on a truncated third day of the rain-affected second Take a look at in opposition to the West Indies at Sabina Park on Sunday.
Fawad’s unbeaten 124 lifted the vacationers to 302 for 9 declared of their first innings earlier than Shaheen eliminated each openers swiftly and Faheem Ashraf added one other wicket to have the house aspect at 39 for 3 in reply at stumps.
Edged by one wicket in an exhilarating finale to the primary Take a look at on the identical floor every week earlier, Pakistan’s quest for a series-levelling victory has been annoyed by showers and inefficient masking of the enjoying sq..
All the second day was misplaced to showers and a sodden outfield whereas play didn’t correctly get underway on day three till early afternoon as a moist space on the southern finish of the pitch, consistent with the bowlers’ run-ups, was a supply of concern for the West Indies.
Preliminary makes an attempt to get play going within the morning following one other 90-minute delay resulted in simply eight deliveries being bowled earlier than the complaints of Jason Holder, supported by his fellow bowlers and captain Kraigg Brathwaite, have been finally heeded by the match officers who engaged in prolonged deliberation earlier than suspending play.
When play lastly commenced within the warmth of the afternoon, Pakistan, who resumed from the in a single day place of 212 for 4, have been nearly totally reliant on Fawad to push them as much as the 300-run mark.
Two wickets for Jayden Seales and two in two balls for Holder stored the vacationers in examine.
Nevertheless, Fawad, who resumed his innings on 76 after retiring by means of warmth exhaustion and extreme cramps on the opening day, wouldn’t be denied a fourth Take a look at century in 12 innings.
It was an innings which bolstered the worth of his return to the worldwide scene after being ignored for 11 years after his debut in senior Pakistan colors in 2009.
‘Motivated by dad’
Having returned to the crease on the fall of Faheem’s wicket, after which seeing Mohammad Rizwan and Nauman Ali depart in fast succession, the 35-year-old left-hander stayed centered and reached the cherished landmark with a pull for 2 off Kyle Mayers.
Regardless of the frustration of contributing to the run out of Hasan Ali, his unbeaten 124, which occupied over six hours by which he confronted 213 deliveries and stroked 17 fours, was a stellar effort.
“It was very challenging out there and what Babar (Azam) and I did on the first day was very important,” mentioned Fawad on the finish of the day in reflecting on his and the crew’s effort.
“You always feel proud when you score a century for your country so I am very happy right now. My dad has always been my motivation. He told me to keep on trying and my time will come and now it has and I am trying to make the most of it.”
Kemar Roach and Seales led the West Indies bowling effort with three wickets every.
Shaheen then made essentially the most of his alternative with the brand new ball by eradicating Kieran Powell and Brathwaite in successive overs.
When Faheem bowled Roston Chase it introduced in night time watchman Alzarri Joseph who held on with Nkrumah Bonner to hold the battle for the West Indies into the fourth day.
West Indies lead the sequence after successful the primary Take a look at by one wicket on the similar venue every week earlier.
