West Indies v Pakistan, 1st Test, Day 4 Review: Visitors in firm control as Windies slump in second innings

The hosts had a very disappointing day on the field as visiting Pakistan side clawed firm grip on the proceedings on day 4. Resuming their innings on 201/4, the Pakistani team went on to take a crucial 121 runs lead in the first innings. Much to their delight, they even managed to scalp four West Indies wickets by the end of the day to stay on top of the game. With Windies still having a deficit of 28, the visitors will fancy their chances of winning this game.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their innings from the overnight score of 201/4. They had reached the point after having seen fifties from Babar Azam and Younis Khan. Asad Shafiq and Misbah Ul Haq resumed at their scores of 5 each. Both batsmen spent some time at the crease to ease things down in the first innings. Asad Shafiq was the first man to be dismissed on the day as Shannon Gabriel picked his third wicket of the day.

Shafiq was dismissed on 22 in the first session of play. Sarfraz Ahmed was the new man in at the crease. Sarfraz played a free-spirited knock laced with multiple boundaries. On the other hand, Misbah played the cautious knock nurdling around with singles. Both batsmen went past their respective fifties. Sarfraz could not add much to his score after reaching the landmark though.

He perished after adding 54 runs off 70 deliveries with 5 fours and a six. Mohammad Amir (11), Wahab Riaz (9), and Yasir Shah (8) fell in quick succession as Misbah was heading towards a ton at the other end. Mohammad Abbas was the last man in with Misbah still some distance away from his century. He defended 21 balls as Misbah got closer and closer to his landmark. Unfortunately, though, he was left stranded on 99 as Abbas was trapped lbw on 1 by Roston Chase. Pakistan innings wrapped up on 407/10. For the West Indies bowlers, Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph scalped 3 wickets each.

West Indies, in their second innings, became a victim of the guile of wily leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell started off decently to see off the first 10 overs of play. Yasir Shah was introduced into the attack as he dismissed Brathwaite on 14. In walked Shimron Heytmer to bat at number 3. He added a 50 run stand with Powell for the second wicket before becoming Yasir’s second victim on 20.

Yasir Shah then made very short work of Shai Hope and got him lbw on 6. Meanwhile, Kieran Powell who was looking good at the other end lost his patience too. He was caught by Younis Khan off the bowling of Yasir Shah on 49. By the end of the day, West Indies were reeling on 93/4 with Devendra Bishoo and Vishaul Singh at the crease with no runs to their names thus far. West Indies still trail by 28 runs.

Earlier in the game, Pakistan had won the toss and put West Indies to bat first. After having been jolted by Mohammad Amir with the new ball, the hosts recovered well from 71/5. Fifties from Jason Holder, Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich scored fifties each to help the hosts post 286 on the board.

Brief Scores 

West Indies 1st innings 286 (Roston Chase 63, Shane Dowrich 56, Mohammad, Amir 6/44, Yasir Shah 2/91)

Pakistan 1st innings 407/10 (Misbah 99*, Azam 72, Joseph 3/71, Gabriel 3/92)

West Indies 2nd innings 93/4 (Powell 49, Heytmer 20, Yasir Shah 4/33)

Check out – Full scorecard here.