PAK v WI, 1st Test Day 4 Review: Devendra Bishoo rips Pakistan apart

While the first three days of plays saw the Pakistanis dominate proceedings to the fullest, Day 4 was all about the spinning abilities of Devendra Bishoo. The 30-year old leg-spinner threw a wrench into the Pakistan batting order as they all danced to his tune as he claimed his best Test figures in his international career. However, from the overall standpoint, it means that the West Indies stand a chance of pulling off an unlikely win.

The day began with the Windies getting bowled out following some impressive bowling from Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah. The latter went on to claim yet another five-wicket haul as the final West Indies resistance was broken. Shane Dowrich was the one who showed some resistance with the bat. He was supported by Jason Holder and Devendra Bishoo as the Windies were polished off for 357.

With many expecting Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to enforce the follow-on with a lead of 222 runs, it was a surprise to see the Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali make their way out to bat. Misbah probably thought that setting a target for the Windies in excess of 400 runs would perhaps go on to make life extremely difficult for those in the batting unit attempting to defend the chase.

However, that was not meant to be as Shannon Gabriel removed triple centurion Azhar Ali within the first few overs of the innings. Realizing that the wicket was starting to offer a lot of turn for the leg-spinner, Jason Holder made a shocking decision, something that was not well received by the coaches seated in the haven of the dressing room.

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Devendra Bishoo came into the attack as the ball began to turn a country mile. And just like that, the Pakistani wickets began to fall like nine pins. Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Sarfraz Ahmed lost their wickets in the blink of an eye. Even Sami Aslam who had smashed his way to a well-made 44 also was left bamboozled by Bishoo.

With Pakistan stuttering at 6/112, it was clear that the 31-year old leg-spinner was not finished just yet. He quickly mopped up the tail as his figures read 8/49. Pakistan had been bowled out in under a session. They were blasted out for 123 as the West Indies were set the modest total of 346, something that was most definitely chase worthy provided the Windies batsmen applied themselves.

Leon Johnson, the opening batsman for the Windies made amends for his failures in the first innings with some impressive batting as he smashed a quickfire 47 before becoming Mohammad Amir’s second wicket of the evening. The Windies concluded the day on 2/95 and requiring 251 runs on the final day to claim a win.

Brief Scores

Pakistan, 1st innings: 579/3

West Indies, 1st innings: 357 all out

Pakistan, 2nd innings: 123 all out (S Aslam 44; D Bishoo 8/49)

West Indies, 2nd innings: 2/95 (L Johnson 47; M Amir 2/26)

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