West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Day 4 Review: Pakistan call the shots despite stern resistance from the hosts

Coming in to the penultimate day of the second Test between West Indies and Pakistan, very few had given the hosts a sniff in the match. The visitors were expected to steamroll the opposition given the kind of pressure they had created on day 3. The Windies batters came into the middle with a deficit of 41 runs still needed to be overhauled. Moreover, they had already lost one key wicket in the final session on the day 3.

Amidst this situation, the Pakistan bowlers were being tipped to be dictating terms on day 4. However, what perspired on the day was totally unexpected. West Indies showed great resistance to ensure that they did not fall apart like ten pins. A hard-fought 90 from Shai Hope gave the hosts the hope to stay alive in the game. But some more twists awaited the audiences.

The final hour of the day’s play saw as many as 6 wickets go down to bring back the visitors in the frame of things. West finished the day with 9 wickets down and a slender lead of 183 runs. Well, for the series to stay alive, the hosts have to pull a miraculous win to keep things interesting.

Earlier in the day, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shimron Hetmyer walked to the crease to resume the proceeding for West Indies at 40/1. Hetmyer failed to add to his overnight score of 22 and perished in the very second over of the day. Mohammad Amir rattled his woodwork with a brilliant delivery. In walked Shai Hope at number 4. Hope and Brathwaite showed great resilience at the crease to see the first hour of the game through.

The partnership of 56 was broken when Yasir Shah dismissed Brathwaite on 43 to bring Roston Chase at the crease. Chase, who had scored a ton in the first innings, played yet another handy cameo. He gave good support to Hope who looked good at the other end. Chase became Yasir Shah’s second wicket when he was caught and bowled on 23 by Shah. Vishaul Singh continued the resistance spree of the West Indies batters.

Meanwhile, Hope went past his hard earned fifty and looked good for more. Singh and Hope played very well to almost see the entire day through. It was towards the end of the day’s play that Hope had a lapse in concentration. Yasir Shah scalped his third to send Hope packing after a well compiled 90 that came off 209 deliveries. In the very next over, Singh perished on 32 and was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas.

Shane Dowrich (2) and Jason Holder (1) became the victims of Yasir Shah in quick succession to hand over the leggie yet another five wicket haul in Test cricket. Alzarri Joseph added 7 runs before becoming the sixth wicket for Yasir Shah. West Indies finished the day on 264/9 with Devendra Bishoo (16*) and Shannon Gabriel (0*) at the crease. Yasir Shah finished the day with figures of 6/90.

Brief Scores:

West Indies 312/10 in 98.5 overs (Chase 131, Holder 58, Abbas 4/56, Amir 3/65)

Pakistan 393/10 in 140 overs (Azhar 105, Misbah 99, Gabriel 4/81, Holder 3/42)

West Indies 264/9 in 102 overs (Hope 90, Brathwaite 43, Yasir 6/90, Abbas 2/57)

Check the full scorecard here.