PAK v WI, 2nd Test, Day 3 Review: Pakistan maintain a iron grip over the match

Leg spinner Yasir Shah produced yet another spectacular spell of bowling as Pakistan maintained a firm grip over the proceeding on the Day three at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Dubai. West Indian weren’t really able to counter the Pakistan bowlers and tumbled down for just 224 after resuming to bat at their overnight score of 106/3.

Apart from the frustrating 24 runs stand between for the last wicket between Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel, nothing really bothered the Pakistanis today. Pakistan continued from where they left yesterday. After claiming two quick wickets during the last moments on day two, Pakistan kept taking wickets at regular intervals and didn’t allow the opposition to get going at any stage.

The first session saw both overnight batsman Jermaine Blackwood and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo lose their wicket and depart to the pavilion. Blackwood was the first to fall, losing his wicket in the 7th over of the day’ play. He failed to support his team and was able to make only nine runs before he nicked a fuller delivery behind to Sarfraz Ahmed. Bishoo did a better job comparatively and made 20 runs before getting cleaned up by Sohail Khan.

Roston Chase and Shai Hope avoided further damage, and West Indies scored just 45 runs in 27 overs in the first session. The runs came at snail’s pace but the positive fact was they had their wickets intact. But, thereafter it was Yasir Shah who dominated the proceedings. He snapped both the batsmen in back to back overs. The leg-spinner broke the dangerous looking stand with the wicket of Chase in the 81st over and later made Hope depart in the 83rd over.

Skipper Jason Holder started on an attacking note and continued batting with the same approach to bring in runs at a quick rate. However, his efforts were never going to be enough. Miguel Cummins failed to offer any support while Gabriel did his best to score 13 runs off 22 balls before becoming Yasir Shah’s fourth victim. Holder had to return with an unbeaten 31 with no batting partner left.

Pakistan left to the dressing room with a broad smile having gained a handsome 223 runs lead. Openers Sami Islam and Azhar Ali then extended the lead further. The duo added 93 runs for the opening wicket before Islam departed just after reaching his half-century. Azhar Ali, who was earlier hit on his left foot by Blackwood, did not show any signs of being uncomfortable and batted fluently and went on to complete his fifty in the remaining over so of the day, finishing at 52 along with Asad Shafiq who was batting at 5 runs.

Brief Score:

Pakistan, 1st innings: 452 (Younis Khan 127; S Gabriel 5/96)

West Indies, 1st Innings: 229 all out (Darren Bravo 43; Yasir Shah 4/86)

Pakistan, 2nd innings: 114/1 (Azhar Ali 52; Shannon Gabriel 1/21)