Pakistan level Test series with emphatic win over West Indies

Pakistan expectedly completed a straightforward win over the West Indies on Wednesday’s penultimate day to halt a slide of eight consecutive away Test losses.

Left-arm spinner Ali Usman polished off the West Indies’ tail after they resumed the day already wobbling on 103 for six, claiming two of the three remaining wickets to fall as they were bowled out for 117 in 46.1 overs at the Queen’s Park Oval.

It took just two overs for Usman to strike, as Kemar Roach completely missed a huge slog sweep to be bowled for a duck without the score advancing from the overnight total.

A hobbled Justin Greaves, who battled 32 balls for three runs, then inside-edged a delivery from pacer Mohammad Ali onto his middle stump as he attempted to pull him through the onside, to leave the Windies 115 for eight.

Shamar Joseph was his usual aggressive self, sweeping Usman for two boundaries through the onside, much to the delight of the small crowd on hand.

His cameo was short-lived, though, as he was caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as he tried to repeat those shots in Usman’s next over.

It brought the West Indies’ innings to an end, with Brandon King unable to bat after being injured while fielding the previous day.

Sajid Khan, who did most of the damage late on Tuesday, ended with 4-32, while Usman grabbed 4-39.

Needing just 75 runs to complete victory and level the two-match series 1-1, Pakistan were never really troubled, even though they lost two wickets in their chase.

Jayden Seales lured Imam-ul-Haq into an uncertain prod following a series of probing deliveries, which the opener edged to Greaves in the slip cordon with 15 runs on the board.

Joseph then accounted for the wicket of opener Azan Awais, who was bowled for 18 off the inside edge as he looked to cut him through the onside, making the score 42 for two.

However, for the second time in the match, Abdullah Shafique, who was named Player of the Match, and captain Babar Azam saw off any further threats from the Windies’ bowlers to carry their side over the finish line in an unbroken partnership of 35.

After surviving a close lbw appeal, Azam ended the match in fine style by hitting left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for successive sixes over long-on and cover.

He ended unbeaten on 24 off 30 balls, while Shafique scored 24 not out off 51 balls.

For the second straight Test series, Greaves was named Player of the Series, sharing the award with Pakistan’s Azam.

(CMC)