Pakistan create history in Younus, Misbah's swansong

Green Caps beat West Indies by 101 runs to clinch first ever Test series on Caribbean soil on Sunday


Reuters May 15, 2017
Retiring Pakistan cricket team members captain Misbah-ul-Haq (L) and Younis Khan (R) are carried by teammates as they celebrate after winning the final test match and the series 2-1 against the West Indies at the Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau, Dominica on May 14, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

NORTH CAROLINA: Pakistan gave two of the their retiring legends Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan a fitting farewell after beating West Indies for the first time on their home soil in a dramatic conclusion of the third and final Test on Sunday.

A valiant, unbeaten century by all-rounder Roston Chase almost staved off defeat for West Indies, who were all out for 202 in their second innings with only one over remaining at Windsor Park in Roseau.

Chase and the West Indies tail made the Pakistan bowlers sweat after the visitors took the new ball with 17 overs remaining, still needing two more wickets.

Farewell legends, we will MisYou


With a draw looking tantalisingly close, West Indies number 11 Shannon Gabriel was bowled by leg-spinner Yasir Shah on the final ball of the penultimate over when he tried to slog over the close-in field but instead edged the ball onto the stumps.



Had Gabriel, who stoutly defended 21 deliveries before his rush of blood, survived the ball, Chase would have had strike for the final over and a draw would have been on the cards, but instead the right-hander finished 101.

Two balls earlier, Gabriel had been given out caught at silly point but the decision was overturned amid high drama when video review showed the ball had struck only his pad.

Misbah heaps praise on ‘principled’ Younus


Pakistan won the match by 101 runs to seal the series 2-1.

"I just told the tailenders to trust their defence,” Chase said while receiving the man of the match award. "Well, Shannon will learn. Hopefully if he gets into a situation like that, he'll choose a better shot. Can't blame him, we fought as a team.”

Pakistan skipper Misbah said he could not have asked for a better finish to his career. "The bowlers bowled their heart out on a slow track," he said. "Everyone was so motivated. They were working hard for me and Younus, too. There were frustrations. No-balls, wickets, couple of chances here and there, but you enjoy wins like this much more than straightforward wins.



“I'm happy with what I've had in my career, couldn't have asked for a better finish. Really happy for this team and especially after the way they gave me and Younus a send-off.

“I wish [Younus] all the best. It was a fine journey with him in the middle, sharing a lot of partnerships. In the history books, both our names will be there.”

Misbah retires with a batting average of more than 46 and sadly without having captained his team in his own country.

Other cricketing nations have refused to play there in the wake of the 2009 terrorist attacks on a Sri Lanka team bus.

Younus on the other hand leaves as Pakistan's most prolific batsman, with 10,099 Test runs at an average of more than 52.

COMMENTS (5)

Fiz | 6 years ago | Reply The two gentlemen of modern day cricket walked off with a well deserved bang. We'll miss them. Wish them best of luck for the future.
ramallah khan | 6 years ago | Reply @Asim Ali: Absolutely correct! Though it's a nice thought that Pakistan has won against West Indie under Misbah's last captaincy, it must not be forgotten that this is the weakest team of WI and all their senior players are busy with IPl in India at present. West Indies Cricket Board is having a running feud with all its Senior player's overpayment and hence all of them have joined IPL instead of playing for WI against Pakistan.
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