Shan Masood’s century goes in vain as West Indies bowl out Pakistan for 282 and gain a 29-run advantage in the first Test.
West Indies gained the upper hand in the opening Test against Pakistan after Justin Greaves delivered a match-defining bowling performance on the third day at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The all-rounder’s maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket helped dismiss Pakistan for 282, handing the hosts a useful 29-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan resumed their innings at 267/8 after lunch in reply to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311. However, the visitors could add only 15 more runs before being bowled out in 80.1 overs. The West Indies bowling unit maintained relentless pressure, preventing Pakistan from overtaking the home side’s total.
Greaves struck early in the session by removing Mohammad Abbas without adding to the score, completing his maiden five-for in Test cricket.
Khurram Shahzad then attempted to extend Pakistan’s innings with a determined knock of 19 from 36 deliveries, but veteran pacer Kemar Roach ended his resistance to wrap up the innings.
The standout performer for West Indies was Greaves, who returned outstanding figures of 5/27 in 11 overs. Roach and Shamar Joseph contributed with two wickets each, while Jayden Seales picked up one scalp to ensure Pakistan fell short of the target.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan had looked well-positioned to challenge West Indies’ total. Overnight batters Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha resumed from 199/3 and added 47 valuable runs for the fourth wicket. Their partnership frustrated the West Indies bowlers and provided stability to the innings.
Masood reached a memorable century, his seventh in Test cricket and first since stepping down as Pakistan’s Test captain. The left-handed batter played a composed innings of 109 runs from 184 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries.
Salman Ali Agha also made a useful contribution, scoring 20 off 60 balls with three fours before Shamar Joseph broke the partnership with a late-swinging delivery that clipped the top of off stump.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Greaves dismissed Masood in the following over. He continued his impressive spell by removing Aamir Jamal, debutant Ali Usman, and Mohammad Rizwan in quick succession.
Those crucial breakthroughs triggered Pakistan’s collapse, allowing West Indies to seize control of the match and secure a valuable first-innings lead heading into the next phase of the Test.