Over till it’s over: Pakistan six wicket-taking balls away from victory

Hosts all but certain to claim second Test, series as West Indies end day four on 171-4

KARACHI: Pakistan are cruising towards a comprehensive victory against the West Indies going into the final day of the second Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The hosts are looking set to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after once again dominating proceedings yesterday, reducing the visitors to 171-4 at stumps.

Pakistan are defending a huge 456-run target after Pakistan declared at 227-2 runs at lunch.

With the West Indies facing an uphill task to save the match as well as the series, former Test cricketer Basit Ali said the hosts shouldn’t face much problems in securing the victory.

“Pakistan should wrap up the West Indies innings early,” the former middle-order batsman told The Express Tribune. “The current West Indies side lacks quality Test batsmen so there shouldn’t be problems for Pakistan to earn an easy victory.”

Like others, Basit called for Pakistan to ensure they don’t let their foot off the pedal. “Pakistan should target a 3-0 triumph like the T20I and ODI series. Anything less than that would not be very impressive.”

‘New Zealand tour will be a real test’

Basit stressed that Pakistan should go in the third Test with an eye on next month’s tour of New Zealand, where Misbahul Haq’s men are set to play a couple of Tests.

“The New Zealand series will show where the Pakistan team stands. It’s going to be a tough challenge and Pakistan should prepare for that in this ongoing series,” said Basit. “They should have asked for pitches similar to ones in New Zealand; it’s possible to get those in the UAE. They can still do it in the final Test. It will give team management some idea about the players. Pakistan are relying too much on Yasir Shah but it remains to be seen how successful he will be in New Zealand.”

‘Shafiq will replace Younus and Misbah’

The 45-year-old Basit reserved special praise for Asad Shafiq, who made an unbeaten half-century.

“Among the younger lot, he is the finest and most complete batsman,” he said. “He is the only one who can effectively replace Misbah or Younus Khan.”

Basit also hailed Younus as a ‘hero’. “I advised him to skip the series because of dengue but he was determined to play and made his comeback with a century,” said Basit. “It’s never easy to do that but he is a classy player.”

Onus on Yasir to give us win, says Sarfraz

Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed said Pakistan were well on course for a victory on the final day.

“We were targeting another wicket before stumps but we are still in a very good position to win,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi. “The wicket is very slow, that is why we declared as the bowlers will need more overs to take wickets.”

Commenting on Zulfiqar Babar, who is still without a wicket in the match, Sarfraz said: “Zulfiqar is making a comeback after almost a year. Secondly, Misbah has given him the task to contain the West Indian batsman so Yasir can attack from the other end. Yasir is a match-winning bowler and we are confident he will guide us to victory on the final day.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2016.

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