Pakistan close to wrapping series

PAKISTAN pressed West Indies hard for a series-clinching win in the second test after setting a daunting 456-run target on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

By close of play, Pakistan had taken four wickets at 171 leaving the West Indies to bat out the fifth and final day today or score a further 285 runs with six wickets intact for an unlikely win.

No team has ever chased down more than the 418/7 West Indies managed against Australia at Antigua 13 years ago and on a weary last day pitch they will need a huge effort to stop Pakistan from taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Pakistan won the first test -- a day-night affair played with the pink ball -- by 56 runs in Dubai.

Pakistan had declared their second innings on 227/2 at lunch, with Asad Shafiq on 58 not out (his 16th test half century) and Younis Khan 29 to give their bowlers enough time to force a win. – AFP