Day-night Test: Shah, Bishoo set up exciting finish

DUBAI: Yasir Shah completed 100 wickets after his West Indies rival Devendar Bishoo took a career best 8-49 on Sunday as the first Test was poised for an exciting finish in Dubai.

Bishoo’s stunning performance limited Pakistan to a paltry 123 in their second innings before West Indies – set a daunting 346 to win the day-night Test – finished the fourth day on 95-2. West Indies will need another 251 runs for an improbable win while Pakistan’s hopes rest on Shah to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Earlier it was Pakistani leg-spinner Shah who became the second joint-fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in Test cricket during his 5-121 which bundled West Indies out for 357 in their first innings.

Pakistan, who scored 579-3 declared in their first innings, did not enforce the follow-on despite West Indies coming up 23 runs short of their target of 380.

West Indies, who hold the record for the highest run-chase in all Test cricket with their 418-7 against Australia at Antigua in 2003, kept Shah at bay with Leon Johnson (47) and Darren Bravo (26 not out) adding 60 for the second wicket.

West Indies lost opener Kraigg Brathwaite for six when he was bowled by fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who also dismissed Johnson leg-before. Marlon Samuels was the other not out batsman on four on a day when wickets fell like nine pins.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2016.