Off-spinner claims another decisive spell as West Indies slump to 103/6, leading by just 60 runs with four wickets remaining.
PORT OF SPAIN: Off-spinner Sajid Khan delivered another outstanding bowling performance to leave Pakistan on the verge of victory in the second Test against the West Indies, reducing the hosts to 103/6 in their second innings at stumps on Day 3 at Queen’s Park Oval.
After conceding a first-innings lead of 43 runs, the West Indies finished the day with an overall advantage of only 60 runs, with just four wickets in hand on a deteriorating pitch increasingly favouring spin.
Warrican sparks Pakistan batting collapse
Pakistan resumed Day 3 in a commanding position with Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam well set at the crease. However, the momentum shifted dramatically after West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican produced a superb spell.
Warrican claimed six wickets as Pakistan’s batting line-up collapsed, restricting the visitors to a narrow first-innings lead of 43 runs despite their strong overnight position.
Although Pakistan missed the opportunity to post a substantial advantage, their bowlers responded emphatically in the final two sessions.
Sajid Khan and Ali Usman dominate with spin
West Indies made a promising start to their second innings, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge putting on 40 runs for the opening wicket.
Pakistan’s spinners then transformed the contest.
Sajid Khan broke the partnership by dismissing Chanderpaul for 17 before removing Amir Jangoo for 13. Fellow spinner Ali Usman added further pressure by trapping Hodge leg before wicket after the left-hander had compiled a patient 34.
As the pitch offered increasing turn and variable bounce, Pakistan’s spin attack consistently troubled the home side’s batters.
Late collapse leaves West Indies in trouble
The final session saw the West Indies suffer a dramatic collapse.
Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase attempted to rebuild the innings, but Sajid Khan struck again when a delivery that kept low crashed into Hope’s stumps.
Nightwatchman Jayden Seales departed soon afterwards, while Chase’s resistance ended on the penultimate ball of the day after he chipped a simple return catch to Ali Usman.
At the close, the West Indies were struggling at 103/6, with injured opener Brandon King yet to bat, further limiting the hosts’ batting resources.
West Indies target lead of 150
Speaking after the day’s play, West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul praised Jomel Warrican’s six-wicket haul, saying the spinner had exploited the conditions by consistently attacking the stumps.
Rampaul acknowledged that the surface was becoming increasingly difficult for batters and suggested the hosts would need to extend their lead beyond 150 runs to have a realistic chance of defending a fourth-innings target.
He also confirmed the team was awaiting a medical update on Brandon King’s fitness before deciding whether the opener would be able to bat.
Pakistan favourites heading into final day
A total of 14 wickets fell on Day 3 as the match moved rapidly towards a conclusion.
Pakistan will begin the final day as overwhelming favourites, requiring only one more disciplined bowling effort to dismiss the West Indies before chasing what is expected to be a modest target.
The hosts, meanwhile, will hope their lower order can add valuable runs and make Pakistan’s fourth-innings chase considerably more challenging on a surface offering sharp turn and inconsistent bounce.