Thriller ends pair of legends careers
PAKISTAN bid farewell to veteran stalwarts Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in a pulse-raising finale to their tour of the West Indies.
All square heading to Windsor Park at 1-1, Pakistan lost the toss and were put in to bat as Dominica hosted its fifth Test match in history.
Azhar Ali made light of unfamiliar surroundings by patiently batting his way to his second century of the series – the 14th of his career.
The opener’s 127 handed the tourists a promising first innings total of 376 to put them on the path to clinching a first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean.
The West Indies failed to even the balance in reply, relying on Roston Chase (69) to make the only score over 50. Restricted by the pace of fast bowler Mohammed Abbas and the spin of Yasir Shah as the hosts posted 247.
The West Indies’ attack upped their intensity as Pakistan’s second innings began, setting the tone for a thrilling climax as Shannon Gabriel struck twice to take the visitors to 8-2.
Lumbering to 174-8, Misbah was forced to make the declaration late in the fourth day.
Chasing 304 to deny Pakistan victory, the hosts wilted under the pressure as the match turned into pure drama. Chase provided stern resistance in the hope of salvaging a draw and upsetting a fairytale ending to the careers of Khan and Misbah.
Making a last stand with No11 batsman Gabriel, centurion Chase (101*) was on course to bat for the final over of the series.
But for the final ball of the penultimate over where Gabriel sacrificed all composure and took a wild slog at Shah’s delivery, catching the inside edge and dragging on to his off-stump to send Pakistan into jubilant celebrations which saw Khan and Misbah carried off on their team-mates shoulders.