The second ever day-night Test was flipped on its head yesterday in Dhabi, as the West Indies put in a spirited fight back, but they are still a long way from picking up their first victory on tour against Pakistan. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 5 from 10:30pm (AEDT).
Pakistan finished the first three days on top and in control of the match, needing just four wickets for under 60 runs to be able to have the option of enforcing the follow on.
After Azhar Ali’s fantastic triple century in their first innings, which led the hosts to a massive 3 for 579, the West Indies got their innings off to a reasonable start but a regular flow of wickets prevented them from running up a good score.
They finished up early yesterday on 357 largely thanks to Darren Bravo’s 87 and Marlon Samuels who backed up well with 76.
Despite being behind the follow on target, Pakistan elected to bat again and were swiftly brought undone by leg spinner Devendra Bishoo who picked up eight wickets in 13 overs for 49 runs.
On the back of the amazing performance from Bishoo, Pakistan were reduced to just 123 and even that would have been worse if not for opening batsman Sami Aslam scoring a hard fought 44.
Set 346 for victory, on a pitch that is clearly starting to turn was never going to be an easy feat for the tourists, and made even harder when Kraigg Brathwaite was out for six. Leon Johnson then got things ticking with Bravo, before he was dismissed by Mohammad Amir for 47.
Bravo then combined with Samuels to guide the West Indies to stumps at 2 for 95, still requiring 251 for victory.
Prediction
Despite how the West Indies played yesterday, which included stemming the flow of wickets in their second innings victory still looks a long way off for the tourists. They will have to play the perfect day (or night) of cricket to get there.
Given their spinner Bishoo picked up eight wickets, you would expect Yasir Shah to do something similar, but he hasn’t looked at home during this Test and well off his usual efforts. If he picks up his bowling, then the West Indies have the same chance of winning as they do claiming the no. 1 Test spot tomorrow.
If Shah doesn’t get on a roll early, and the partnership between Samuels and Bravo builds, which is undoubtedly the key one for the entire innings then they have to be rated a chance. A small one, but nonetheless a chance at picking up their first win of this disastrous tour.
Join The Roar for live scores of the final days play in this second ever day-night Test match from 10:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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