TAROUBA, Trinidad (AP) — Pakistan’s top-order crumbled against West Indies fast bowlers in pursuit of a challenging target of 211 on a tricky pitch in the first test on Tuesday.
Jayden Seales bowled two consecutive wicket maiden overs to leave Pakistan stuttering at 28-3 at lunch on a Day 4 wicket that has plenty of variable bounce to trouble the batters.
Captain Babar Azam was unbeaten on 16 after Pakistan suffered a blow when first innings century-maker Shan Masood couldn’t bat at his usual No. 3 position due to a finger injury while batting on the third day.
The team management said Masood will bat, if required.
Earlier, Mohammad Abbas bagged 5-22 — his seventh five-wicket haul in test cricket — but West Indies tailenders swelled the lead past the 200-run mark before it got bowled out for 181.
Shamar Joseph (38) and Kemar Roach (18) added better than run-a-ball 61 for the eighth-wicket stand after West Indies, which got a 29-run first innings lead, resumed at 126-7.
Pakistan surprisingly didn’t start the day with its premium bowler Abbas as Joseph and Roach added 28 quick runs with Joseph smashing Khurram Shahzad for his fourth six in a 27-ball knock
Joseph finally lost the middle stump to Mohammad Ali while going for a slog sweep against the fast bowler before Abbas wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Roach and Jomel Warrican.
Roach provided West Indies a perfect start and while bowling from around the wicket left-hander Imam-ul-Haq gloved a catch to wicketkeeper Shai Hope of a delivery that reared from the good length.
Seales then found the outside edge of Azan Awais’ bat and then trapped Salman Ali Agha lbw for a six-ball duck late in the first session to leave Pakistan in trouble. Babar struck two boundaries on the on-side in Roach’s one over and Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on a nervy 1 off nine balls at the interval as West Indies fast bowlers continued to exploit favorable pitch.
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