Pakistan set Windies 304 to win third Test

Pakistan put the onus on its bowlers to win a first Test cricket series in the Caribbean after setting the West Indies 304 to win the third test and taking an early wicket on Saturday.

After 14 wickets fell on the slow fourth-day pitch, Pakistan was in command heading to the last day.

The visitors quickly bowled out the West Indies in the morning for 247 and a first-innings lead of 129. Their tail extended the advantage after the top order collapsed, lifting Pakistan from 90-7 to declaring at 174-8 with a lead of 303.

When West Indies opener Kieran Powell gave up his wicket to legspinner Yasir Shah for the second time in the test, stumps were taken and the home side was 7-1, 297 runs and a long way from a face-saving draw let alone a victory. Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, who stayed with Pakistan so they can retire their test careers on Sunday with an historic series win, couldn’t finish their test batting careers in style.

They walked off in style though. Both were out going for sweeps against legspinner Devendra Bishoo, Misbah on 2 and Younis on 35 just before tea.

Medium-pacer Alzarri Joseph took out the next three wickets of Sarfraz Ahmed (4), Asad Shafiq (13) and Mohammad Amir (27) in the last session but bowlers Amir and Shah had already done the damage with their bats.

Their 61-run partnership, surviving a couple of chances, ensured Pakistan closed in on a lead of nearly 300. Shah, 38 not out, and Hasan Ali, 15 not out, got them there at 174-8 to prompt the declaration.