WI vs PAK 1st Test: Windies earn valuable lead as Pakistan aim to claw back

The first Test between West Indies and Pakistan is on a knife’s edge and can swing either way after an absorbing day three in Trinidad. Pakistan added 45 to their overnight total of 199 before losing their fourth wicket, as Shamar Joseph sent Salman Agha’s off stump cartwheeling towards the slip cordon. Agha played cautiously for his 20 but could not stick around for long.

Masood brought up a dogged century and looked a completely different player without the burden of the captain’s badge. However, he could not carry on for long, as Justin Greaves got him to chop one onto his stumps five balls after Agha’s dismissal. It turned into a Greaves show, as the West Indies allrounder bagged career‑best figures of 5/27 to deny Pakistan a first‑innings lead.

Greaves accounted for Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (12), Aamer Jamal (3), Ali Usman (0), and Mohammad Abbas (0). His terrific spell led to a huge batting collapse, with Pakistan losing seven wickets for just 38 runs and falling from 244/3 to 282 all out.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WINDIES Cricket (@windiescricket)

Joseph and Kemar Roach bagged two wickets apiece, while Jayden Seales claimed one. West Indies held a slender lead of 29 runs at the end of the first innings and had the opportunity to grind Pakistan down into the dirt. However, the game turned on its head as Pakistan showed heart and made a spirited comeback with the ball, led by veteran seamer Abbas.

Abbas came out with intent and dismissed both Brandon King and Kavem Hodge before the Windies could even put 10 runs on the board. 7/2 soon became 93/7 as the rest of the pace battery also joined Abbas in the fun.

The wicket started showing signs of variable bounce, and the hosts found it tough to negotiate. An unbeaten 33‑run stand between Joseph and Roach saw the Windies finish the day at 126/7, with a valuable lead of 155 runs. Joseph batted in his quintessential style, taking the attack to the Pakistan bowlers and smashing three sixes.

Pakistan need to mop up the tail early on day four, or else they will find themselves chasing a fairly challenging total on an uneven surface.