The Free Press Journal

Windies crumble

Trail by 346 runs; Pak in command

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West Indies lost two late wickets to hand the initiative to Pakistan on the second day of the second Test on Saturday.

West Indies had defied Pakistan's bowlers well until the 44th over with the score 106 for 2, but they then lost Marlon Samuels (30) and Kraigg Brathwaite (21) in the space of three balls without adding any further runs.

Nightwatch­man Devendra Bishoo and Jermaine Blackwood were yet to score as West Indies trail Pakistan's first innings total of 452 by 346 runs with six wickets intact.

Darren Bravo, who made 87 and 116 in the first Test in Dubai, made an attractive 43 but his dismissal left Pakistan in a dominant position.

A late collapse hit the West Indies hard as Samuels edged fast bowler Rahat Ali to slip before Brathwaite was run out by Misbah-ul-Haq's throw after setting off for a quick single.

Bravo, who opened the innings after Brathwaite was off the field when Pakistan were batting and could not come in at the start, helped the tourists reach 27 without loss at the tea interval.

But in the third over after tea Rahat gave Pakistan the breakthrou­gh when he trapped Leon Johnson legbefore for 12.

Bravo and Brathwaite took the score to 65 before drama unfolded involving English umpire Michael Gough as two of his decisions were overturned on referral.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah struck Bravo on his back pad as the left-hander tried to pull a short ball but Gough turned down a vociferous appeal from Pakistan players.

Misbah reviewed the decision and television replays showed Bravo was leg-before for 43.

The very next ball Shah trapped Samuels in front of his stumps and Gough raised his finger, only for a review to grant the batsman a reprieve as replays showed he had hit the ball.

 ??  ?? Yasir Shah makes a successful leg before wicket appeal against Darren Bravo.
Yasir Shah makes a successful leg before wicket appeal against Darren Bravo.

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