PORT OF SPAIN (AFP) – Pakistan’s spinners put their team on course for a series-levelling victory as the West Indies stumbled to 103 for six — a lead of just 60 runs -– on an eventful third day of the second and final Test in Trinidad on Tuesday._x000D_
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Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 160 ensured the visitors did not completely squander an excellent overnight platform in eventually getting to a first-innings total of 387._x000D_
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Sajid Khan then made his second meaningful contribution of the day in taking four second-innings wickets, while Ali Usman claimed two, including home captain Roston Chase caught-and-bowled off the final ball of the day._x000D_
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First-innings top-scorer Justin Greaves will carry the fight for the West Indies into the fourth morning with uncertainty over the availability to bat of regular opener Brandon King._x000D_
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On a deteriorating pitch offering sharp turn and variable bounce, West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was as much in his element as 18 months earlier against these same opponents in Multan._x000D_
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Here, his haul of six for 112, including three wickets in four balls to wrap up the Pakistan innings on the stroke of tea, would have been a portent of things to come._x000D_
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Yet having started the day in the comfortable position of 266 for two and within sight of the West Indies first-innings total of 344, it took an error of judgement from Pakistan captain Babar Azam to trigger a gradual slide as the visitors’ last eight wickets fell for 106 runs._x000D_
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Having put the West Indies bowlers to the sword with delightful, confident strokeplay on the second afternoon, Babar was a picture of strokeless paralysis at the start of the day, as if the prospect of a first Test century in almost four years had gotten the better of him._x000D_
He managed to eke out a couple of runs to add to his overnight 86 before taking off for a non-existent single and, sent back by Shafique, dived desperately but in vain as the direct hit at the striker’s end by King from point found Babar short of his ground._x000D_
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West Indian delight at Babar’s dismissal was transformed to concern over the welfare of King, who remained prone on the outfield after effecting the dismissal._x000D_
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After several minutes of assessment of his situation he was stretchered off with what was later diagnosed to be back spasms._x000D_
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That unexpected breakthrough triggered a mini-slide as three wickets fell for five runs, fast bowler Shamar Joseph and Warrican claiming a wicket each._x000D_
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Khan offered a measure of stability with Shafique, the pair putting on 59 for the seventh wicket before another pacer, Jayden Seales, removed the lower-order batsman for 30._x000D_
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With the door open to a vulnerable tail, Warrican wasted no time in wrapping up the innings, taking three wickets in four balls with Shafique stranded at the non-striker’s end and leaving Pakistan to rue opportunities missed to earn a much more significant lead.
