Sajid Khan and Ali Usman shared six wickets as Pakistan tightened their grip on the second Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Tuesday.
At the close of play on day three, West Indies were struggling at 103 for six in their second innings, holding an overall lead of only 60 runs. Justin Greaves was unbeaten on one, with four wickets remaining.
Earlier, Abdullah Shafique produced a magnificent innings of 160 to help Pakistan post 387 and secure a valuable 43-run first-innings lead.
Resuming their first innings at 266 for two, Abdullah and Pakistan captain Babar Azam began the day looking to extend their commanding third-wicket partnership.
Babar, who resumed on 86, was unfortunately run out for 88 after a direct hit from Brandon King. His 147-ball innings included 10 fours and a six. The dismissal ended a 183-run partnership between Babar and Abdullah, which had placed Pakistan in a strong position after the early loss of two wickets on day two.
West Indies briefly fought their way back into the contest as debutant Awais Zafar, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan departed in quick succession.
Awais was bowled by Jomel Warrican for one, while Salman was trapped leg-before by Shamar Joseph without scoring. Rizwan struck three fours in his 18 before Warrican found a way through his defence.
Abdullah, however, remained composed at the other end and continued to anchor Pakistan’s innings. He received valuable support from Sajid as the pair added 59 runs for the seventh wicket.
Sajid contributed an important 30 from 72 balls, hitting four boundaries and helped Pakistan move past West Indies’ first-innings total of 344.
Abdullah brought up his 150 in commanding fashion, advancing down the pitch and lofting Kavem Hodge for a six. His outstanding innings eventually finished unbeaten on 160 from 323 balls and featured 15 fours and three sixes.
Warrican took the final three Pakistan wickets in the space of four deliveries as Ali Usman made 10, while Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali were dismissed without scoring.
The left-arm spinner finished with six wickets for 112 runs from 46 overs, but Abdullah’s marathon effort ensured Pakistan secured a potentially decisive first-innings advantage.
The hosts reached 40 without loss, reducing most of Pakistan’s lead. Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid and Ali Usman then transformed the complexion of the match.
Sajid provided the first breakthrough when he trapped Tagenarine Chanderpaul leg-before for 17. The on-field decision was reviewed by West Indies but remained unchanged on umpire’s call.
Right-arm off-spinner then produced a sharply turning delivery to bowl Amir Jangoo for 13, reducing the hosts to 62 for two.
Ali Usman joined the wicket-taking act by dismissing Kavem Hodge for 34. Hodge attempted to work the ball towards the leg side but was beaten by the arm ball and adjudged leg-before following a successful Pakistan review.
West Indies captain Roston Chase and Shai Hope attempted to rebuild the innings, but Pakistan maintained control with accurate and disciplined bowling.
Sajid broke the resistance by trapping Hope leg-before for 15. He then removed night-watchman Jayden Seales for a two-ball duck, once again striking in front of the stumps.
The tourists completed a dominant final hour when Ali Usman dismissed Chase from the last ball of the day. West Indies captain, who had made 17 from 45 balls, chipped a return catch back to the bowler.
Sajid ended the day with impressive figures of four for 32 from 12 overs, taking his match tally to eight wickets. Ali Usman claimed two for 29 from 16.5 overs and conceded runs at an economy rate of only 1.72.
Scores in brief:
Day 3 of 5
West Indies lead Pakistan by 60 runs with four second-innings wickets remaining
West Indies 344 all out, 105.4 overs (Justin Greaves 73, Roston Chase 70, Brandon King 46; Sajid Khan 4-85, Mohammad Ali 2-67, Ubaid Shah 2-66, Ali Usman 2-80) and 103-6, 40.5 overs (Kavem Hodge 34, Roston Chase 17, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 17, Shai Hope 15; Sajid Khan 4-32, Ali Usman 2-29)
Pakistan 387 all out, 115 overs (Abdullah Shafique 160 not out, Babar Azam 88, Azan Awais 55, Sajid Khan 30; Jomel Warrican 6-112, Shamar Joseph 2-84)
