Centuries by Taufeeq Umar and Misbah-ul-Haq followed by purposeful bowling led by Abdur Rehman had Pakistan on the verge of victory over the West Indies in the second Test on Monday.
Rehman captured three for 26 from 14 overs as the West Indies, in pursuit of 427 for victory, slumped to 130 for six in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day at Warner Park.
Left-hander Darren Bravo has been the only West Indies batsman that has come to terms with the Pakistan bowlers, hitting the top score so far of 50.
Taufeeq had equaled his career-best of 135 and Misbah, the Pakistan captain, was undefeated on 102 as the visitors reached 377 for six in their second innings, before they declared about 45 minutes after lunch.
Taufeeq struck 13 fours from 315 balls in close to seven hours batting, while Misbah stroked 10 fours and two sixes from 141 deliveries in close to four hours.
Devendra Bishoo was the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 149 from 38 overs.
“It is really, really good to score a Test hundred as a captain because the team is always looking toward you for something special,” Misbah said. “For your own confidence, and the sake of the team, it is really important that you chip in and perform at all stages of the game, but we have not won the Test match yet. Until we have taken the final wicket, we have not won it yet. It’s still a game of cricket and we have to finish the game, unless it’s half the job done.”
Tanvir Ahmed made an early breakthrough for Pakistan, leaving the West Indies 54 for one at tea, when he bowled opener Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the third over of the innings.
After tea, the visitors made a huge charge for victory, with Rehman playing a leading role, taking the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of five deliveries.
The Pakistan left-arm spinner had Simmons caught at second slip for 24 and Sarwan, the most experienced batsman in the West Indies lineup, was leg before wicket playing back and across for a duck, a decision from New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden that was changed after it was reviewed.
Rehman added the scalp of Marlon Samuels caught behind for 6 to leave the West Indies 77 for four, but Pakistan met defiance from the left-handed pair of Bravo and West Indies vice captain Brendan Nash.
The visitors spent over an hour working away on the West Indies pair before Bravo cracked under the pressure, falling LBW to left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz. He struck two fours and two sixes from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting.
Earlier, Pakistan jammed their foot down on the accelerator, anticipating the declaration after they reached 202 for three at lunch.
Misbah reached his century from 141 balls, with a thick edge to third man off Ravi Rampaul for his last boundary prompting the declaration. Umar Akmal shared 62 with him for the sixth wicket, before Bishoo bowled him for 30 and Mohammad Salman was caught at deep fine-leg off Rampaul for 8 before the declaration came.
Pakistan trail 0-1 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test.
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