The Pakistan captain made 99* while Yasir Shah took 4/33 as West Indies finished the day at 93/4, 28 runs behind.

By Abdullah Ansari (24th April, 2017)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss, Misbah-ul-Haq chose to field first.

Teams

West Indies: KC Brathwaite, KOA Powell, SO Hetmyer, SD Hope, VA Singh, SO Dowrich†, RL Chase, JO Holder*, D Bishoo, AS Joseph, ST Gabriel

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Abbas

Play started on time on Day 4 with Pakistan resuming at 201/4. The new ball was available after just 10 deliveries and West Indies wasted no time, bringing on Gabriel and Joseph. The first few overs with the second new ball saw the visitors' scoring rate pick up a touch as Shafiq managed to get away a few boundaries. Gabriel then created an opening as Misbah fended a short ball to short leg but the fielder couldn't hold on to it. The pacer eventually made the breakthrough as he bowled a pacy short ball to Shafiq who tried to play at it but only managed to edge behind to the keeper for 22. Sarfraz came to bat in a busy manner as always, looking to rotate strike regularly and keep fielders on their toes while Misbah took his time at the other end. He took a liking to Bishoo in particular, hitting him for a four then sweeping one for six. When Gabriel returned, Sarfraz took advantage of his loose bowling to put away a couple of boundaries too as he soon overtook Misbah's tally of runs. He got to his fifty just before the Lunch break while Misbah hit the last ball of the session for his first six as Pakistan went back at 322/5.

A couple of tight overs were bowled after the break and then Sarfraz tried to sweep a full delivery from Bishoo and was bowled around his legs after making 54. Amir had an eventful stay at the crease as he was first dropped, followed by a big six off Bishoo. Joseph was the man to take his wicket as he prodded at a delivery outside off and edged it behind. In the meantime, Misbah surpassed fifty but was fast running out of partners. Wahab didn't last long either as he was bowled by Joseph. Misbah almost gave it away as he tickled one down the leg-side but the keeper Dowrich couldn't hold onto the chance. Just as a good partnership looked to be forming, there was a mix-up and a direct hit to bring an end to Yasir's stay. Misbah took the initiative from there on, looking to hit boundaries whenever possible as the tourists tried to force Abbas to get majority of the strike. He entered the 90s with his third six while Abbas defended resolutely from the other end. However, the Pakistan captain slowed down in the 90s and when he was on 99*, Abbas missed a straight delivery and was given out LBW with the review unsuccessful. Misbah was left stranded on 99* as Pakistan finished at 407 all out, a lead of 121 runs.

Amir and Abbas opened the bowling for the tourists as Pakistan looked to make the new ball count. The latter almost had a wicket in his first over again as Powell hit one straight back at him but the bowler couldn't hold on. Amir also induced an outside edge but the ball didn't carry. Pakistan's effort only managed to stop the flow of runs with the initial ten overs played out. Yasir was introduced into the attack and didn't waste any time as he skidded one on to Brathwaite, getting him bowled again. Powell looked to be positive at the other end while debutant Hetmyer showcased his potential with some flowing shots. The latter hit Yasir for a six in his sixth over but perished next ball as one turned back into him and castled the stumps. Yasir soon struck again with a quicker delivery, deceiving Hope and getting him out LBW. The home side at the point opted for a nightwatchman but Yasir completed the icing on the cake by getting the dangerous looking Powell before Stumps with one that didn't turn out of the rough as the batsman edged it and was caught at slip by Younis. West Indies finished the day at 93/4, still 28 runs behind Pakistan.

Summary: A fantastic day for Pakistan, riding on contributions from Sarfraz, Misbah and Yasir. Sarfraz was the first, providing impetus to the innings with a quick fifty and also taking pressure off Misbah in the process. The captain then took responsibility batting with the tail, adding more than 80 runs for the last four wickets though he was unable to complete his hundred, becoming just the 6th man ever to finish on 99*. Yasir then showed up to make good use of the conditions and destruct the West Indian batting lineup with four wicketss, leaving the hosts fighting for survival on Day 5.

Fall of wickets: 

5-236 (Asad Shafiq, 86.6 ov)
6-324 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 111.4 ov)
7-341 (Mohammad Amir, 116.2 ov)
8-355 (Wahab Riaz, 120.4 ov)
9-373 (Yasir Shah, 128.1 ov)
10-407 (Mohammad Abbas, 138.4 ov)

1-22 (Brathwaite, 10.1 ov)
2-72 (Hetmyer, 20.3 ov)
3-84 (Hope, 24.2 ov)
4-89 (Powell, 26.6 ov)

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