Pakistan ended the third day of the decisive second Digicel cricket Test against the West Indies at Warner Park here Sunday on 202 for three in their second innings.
After dismissing the West Indies for 223 in reply to their first innings total of 272 to gain a lead of 49 runs, Pakistan consolidated their position, moving from 55 without loss at lunch to 131 for one at tea in their second innings.
Opener Taufeeq Umar guided Pakistan’s batting and was three runs away from his fifth Test century on 97 not out at stumps, while captain Misbah-ul-Haq was13 not out.
Taufeeq, who benefitted from a number of dropped catches by the West Indies fielders has so far struck 10 fours off 231 balls in 304 minutes at the crease. Pakistan’s overall lead is 251 runs with seven wickets in hand.
Taufeeq and Mohammed Hafeez, who made 32, shared an opening stand of 82 runs before West Indies’ captain Darren Sammy, who had missed two catches in the slip, bowled the latter off the inside edge.
Azhar Ali joined Taufeeq and hit his second half-century of the match (53 off 90 balls, 6×4) while dominating a second-wicket partnership of 76 runs.
Pakistan, trail 1-0 in the two-match series after the West Indies’ 40-run victory in the Guyana first Test.
Earlier, fast bowlers Ravi Rampaul (32 not out) and Kemar Roach (29) featured in a ninth-wicket partnership of 60 runs after the West Indies resumed from their overnight score of 184 for eight. Off-spinners Hafeez (3-23) and Saeed Ajmal (3-56) were Pakistan’s most successful bowlers while Marlon Samuels top scored for the West Indies with a knock of 57.
(EZS)
