Pakistan collapse in pursuit of quick runs as West Indies end at 95/2 in chase of 346.

By Abdullah Ansari (16th October, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss, Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bat first.

Teams

Pakistan: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz.

West Indies: KC Brathwaite, LR Johnson, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, J Blackwood, RL Chase, SO Dowrich (wk), JO Holder (c), D Bishoo, ML Cummins, ST Gabriel

Pakistan began the day on the front foot as Yasir struck in just the 4th over of the day to dismiss Dowrich LBW. Holder and Bishoo held out for a while before the former was bowled by the leg-spinner as he played inside the line of a delivery on off-stump and was bowled. A few balls later, a review was taken against Cummins but it proved fruitless - however, Yasir had his man in the next over as Cummins went for a wild hoick and missed, gifting Yasir his 100th wicket as he become the fastest Asian and second-fastest overall to the landmark. Nawaz came back to spin one through Bishoo's defences and had him bowled, with West Indies bowled out for 357, a deficit of 222.

Pakistan's innings commenced with Azhar given out in the 3rd over - he reviewed successfully but was dismissed LBW next ball. A couple of overs later, Shafiq was dismissed LBW as he tried to sweep Bishoo and missed, with Pakistan 20/2 at Tea.

West Indies began the second session in an aggressive manner as the fast bowlers looked to bowl short to Babar Azam, who looked uncomfortable. He survived for a while as the two put on a fifty partnership but was eventually dismissed by Bishoo as he chopped one onto his stumps. Pakistan's lead crossed 300 in the meantime. Sami Aslam continued for a bit but was dismissed off Bishoo as Blackwood held on to a good catch at slip for 44. The floodgates opened thereafter - Misbah first fell, and Nawaz was next, in the same over to the leggie. In the next over, he had Wahab caught slogging at midwicket and Holder got Yasir out, caught and bowled as Pakistan went to Dinner at 121/8.

It took Bishoo 5 balls after the interval to wrap up the innings as first Sarfraz ran down the pitch and was stumped, followed by Amir who was bowled by one that turned sharply, as he finished with stunning figures of 8/49 as West Indies were set 346 to win.

Pakistan's opening bowlers got some swing in the first few overs but failed to get a breakthrough until the 9th over, as Brathwaite played away from his body and edged one back onto his stumps. Yasir Shah came into the attack early as Pakistan looked to the leg-spinner to replicate Bishoo's performance. Johnson and Bravo were circumspect but looked to be positive against Yasir in order to not allow him to settle down. Wahab came on to bowl a spell and was not as successful as yesterday as his short deliveries were well dealth with. With the partnership growing and in excess of fifty, Pakistan needed a wicket and Amir was the one who delivered it as Johnson fell, LBW - he reviewed to no avail. Samuels and Bravo negotiated the remaining overs well, leaving 251 runs to get on the last day with Pakistan needing 8 wickets.

Summary: A manic day of Test cricket that has allowed West Indies back into the game. Pakistan were quick to wrap up the visitors' first innings as Yasir got to a historic landmark but the batting in response was nothing short of a calamity. The purpose and target seemed to be unclear with the batsmen regularly ending up gifting their wickets to Bishoo. No one besides Sami Aslam looked to have a proper plan. Despite all that, Pakistan managed to set a stiff target for West Indies, who batted well to reach 95/2 at the close. An enthralling day of cricket is in store on Day 5.

Fall of wickets:

7-325 (Dowrich, 112.4 ov)
8-346 (Holder, 120.3 ov)
9-351 (Cummins, 122.1 ov)
10-357 (Bishoo, 123.5 ov)

1-13 (Azhar Ali, 2.6 ov)
2-20 (Asad Shafiq, 5.4 ov)
3-77 (Babar Azam, 17.2 ov)
4-93 (Sami Aslam, 23.1 ov)
5-112 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 27.3 ov)
6-112 (Mohammad Nawaz, 27.6 ov)
7-118 (Wahab Riaz, 29.5 ov)
8-121 (Yasir Shah, 30.6 ov)
9-121 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 31.1 ov)
10-123 (Mohammad Amir, 31.5 ov)

1-27 (Brathwaite, 8.1 ov)
2-87 (Johnson, 25.4 ov)

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