Younis, Misbah fall but Pak press for win
Roseau (Dominica), May 14: Departing stalwarts Younis Khan and captain Misbah ul Haq failed to make an impact in their farewell international innings but Pakistan were poised to press for a seriesclinching victory over the West Indies at stumps on the fourth day at Windsor Park in Dominica on Saturday.
Following the tedium of the first three days which saw a total of 15 wickets falling, 14 tumbled on the penultimate day of the series, ending with the home side at 7/1 after being set a daunting victory target of 304.
Mohammad Abbas claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket to trigger a West Indies first innings collapse to 247 all out in the morning after they resumed at 218/5 with the match appearing at the start of the day to be dragging towards a dreary draw.
“Eight seasons of firstclass cricket bowling long spells prepared me for this opportunity,” said Abbas.
“I dedicate this performance to both Misbah and Younis because it is my great fortune to play with Pakistan (1st Innings): 376 West Indies (1st Innings, o/n 218/5): K. Brathwaite c Ahmed b Shah 29, K. Powell c Ali b Shah 31, S. Hetmyer c Ahmed b Shah 17, S. Hope c Misbah b Azhar Ali 29, R. Chase b Abbas 69, V. Singh b Abbas 8, S. Dowrich b Amir 20, J. Holder (not out) 30, D. Bishoo c Khan b Abbas 0, A. Joseph b Abbas 0, S. Gabriel c Azam b Abbas 0. Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-3, w-5) 14. Total: (in 115 overs) 247 FoW: 1-43, 2-69, 3-97, 4-152, 5-189, 6-218, 7-239, 8-239, 9-241, 10-247 Bowling: Amir 27-12-32-1 (1w), Abbas 25-7-46-5 (2w), Shah 404-126-3, Ali 17-4-22-0 (3nb, 2w), Ali 6-1-15-1 Pakistan (2nd Innings): A. Ali c sub b Gabriel 3, S. Masood lbw Gabriel 21, B. Azam c Hetmyer b Chase 0, Y. Khan c Powell b Bishoo 35, Misbah-ul Haq c Dowrich b Bishoo 2, A. Shafiq c and b Joseph 13, S. Ahmed c Dowrich b Joseph 4, M. Amir c Bishoo b Joseph 27, Y. Shah (not out) 38, H. Ali (not out) 15. Extras: (lb5, nb-4, w-7) 16. Total: (for 8 wkts, decl.) 174 FoW: 1-6, 2-8, 3-57, 4-65, 5-72, 6-82, 7-90, 8-151 Bowling: Gabriel 10-1-24-2 (2nb), Joseph 15-3-53-3 (3w), Chase 9-0-31-1, Holder 9-4-7-0, Bishoo 14-2-54-2 (2nb) West Indies (2nd Innings): K. Brathwaite (batting) 3, K. Powell c Masood b Shah 4. Total (for 1 wkt, in 6.3 overs) 7 FoW: 1-7 Bowling: Amir 1-0-2-0, Abbas 3-1-3-0, Shah 2.3-2-2-1 them but also unfortunate for it to be their last series.”
In attempting to build on that considerable lead of 129 Pakistan crashed to 90/7 before Yasir Shah, with a Test-best 38 not out, and a determined 27 from Amir allowed Misbah the luxury of a second innings declaration at 174/8 late in the day.
— AFP