West Indies Lead Pakistan by 155 as Trinidad Test Swings
TRINIDAD: West Indies ended a dramatic third day of the opening Test against Pakistan with a 155-run advantage after reaching 126 for seven in their second innings at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Fourteen wickets fell during a fluctuating day in which both teams surrendered promising positions and left the contest finely balanced ahead of the fourth morning.
Pakistan began the day with an opportunity to take control after progressing to 244 for three in their first innings. Captain Shan Masood had completed a determined century and the tourists appeared well placed to move beyond West Indies’ first-innings total of 311, but the match changed sharply when the middle and lower order collapsed under sustained pressure.
The visitors lost their final seven wickets for only 38 runs and were dismissed for 282, conceding a first-innings deficit of 29. Masood made 109 from 184 deliveries, striking 12 boundaries during an innings lasting more than five hours, but his dismissal opened the door for the home side to rapidly dismantle Pakistan’s remaining batting resistance.
Justin Greaves produced the defining bowling performance for West Indies, claiming career-best Test figures of five wickets for 27 runs. Shamar Joseph began the slide by bowling Salman Agha to end a 47-run partnership before Greaves attacked the stumps with disciplined seam bowling and removed Masood along with key members of Pakistan’s middle and lower order.
Pakistan responded strongly with the ball and reduced West Indies to 126 for seven before stumps. Mohammad Abbas led the comeback with his familiar control and accuracy, repeatedly forcing the batters to play on a surface that became increasingly difficult as the day progressed. Captain Babar Azam supported the attack with a sharp diving catch at cover to dismiss Greaves for 20 and give Abbas his third wicket.
Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul said the attack had improved after failing to consistently execute its plans earlier in the match. He credited Abbas for using his experience to guide the younger bowlers and noted that Pakistan’s seamers achieved better results once they began pitching the ball fuller and targeting more threatening areas.
West Indies nevertheless retained the advantage through late resistance from Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph. Roach remained at the crease while Joseph struck three sixes in an unbeaten 22, adding potentially valuable runs on a pitch where uneven pace and movement have made batting increasingly hazardous. Their partnership prevented Pakistan from immediately closing the innings and kept the target moving upwards.
The match has now developed into a test of Pakistan’s ability to complete the West Indies innings quickly and then manage a challenging fourth-innings chase. A target approaching or exceeding 200 could become difficult on the deteriorating surface, making the first hour of the fourth day crucial for both teams.
Pakistan will look to Abbas and the rest of the pace attack to remove the final three wickets without allowing another meaningful partnership. West Indies, meanwhile, will attempt to extend their lead and place maximum pressure on Pakistan’s batters, setting up what could become a tense and decisive conclusion in Trinidad.