Brathwaite continues to haunt Pakistan

Registers unbeaten 47-run partnership with Dowrich to edge closer to first win

KARACHI: West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich showed nerves of steel on the fourth day of the third and final Test of the series against Pakistan to edge closer to a first win on the tour in Sharjah yesterday.

The duo took West Indies to 114-5 at stumps, 39 runs short of the 153-run target following a mini-collapse which saw the Caribbean outfit lose five wickets for just 38 runs.

Brathwaite, who carried the bat with an unbeaten 142 in the first innings, continued to defy Pakistan bowlers and was batting on 44 along with Dowrich, who contributed a gutsy 36 off 61 balls.

Before an unbeaten 47-run partnership between the two batsmen, Pakistan looked set to win despite setting a meagre target. Yasir took three quick wickets, while Wahab claimed two as the hosts reduced the West Indies to 67-5 at one stage.



However, the duo steadied the innings and put West Indies in a strong position going into the final day.

Earlier, Pakistan could add only 121 runs to their overnight total of 87-4 and were dismissed on 208 in their second innings.

Azhar Ali missed his century by nine runs, while Sarfraz Ahmed made 42.



Captain Jason Holder grabbed two more wickets on the penultimate day to complete his maiden five-wicket haul.



Arthur not disappointed with team’s performance

With Pakistan on the verge of defeat, their first on the current tour, head coach Mickey Arthur did not complain about the team’s performance in the final Test.

“It was almost mission accomplished for us before this match,” he told reporters in Sharjah.  “We have not been good in this Test but I would not complain about it because it’s been a long series. The players spent just a few days at home following a hectic England tour before this series and are very tired.”

He further added, “The match is still not over. We are just two balls away from being favourites in the match. This game can still go anywhere.”

The coach, meanwhile, said the small first innings total is the reason behind Pakistan current woes. “On tracks like this, you need a big score in the first innings but we failed to do that and remained under pressure for the rest of match,” he said.



‘Magical spell needed from Pakistan bowlers’

Former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar believes a ‘magical’ bowling spell could turn the game on its head.

“West Indies definitely look favourites to win unless Pakistan bowlers can conjure some magic,” Jaffar told The Express Tribune.  “Brathwaite and Dowrich did very well under pressure. The whole West Indies team fought back well on the tour after a winless run. Brathwaite, especially, has been very impressive.”

Jaffar, a former selector, also echoed Arthur’s views on the low first innings total being the main cause for Pakistan being in the position they currently find themselves in.

“Pakistan were more familiar with the Sharjah conditions than the West Indies. They should have scored more runs in both the innings and batted with more responsibility,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2016.   

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