Pakistan seized control of the first Test against West Indies as Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad shared five wickets to leave the hosts reeling at 126/7 by stumps on the third day, with only a 155-run lead at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA). At stumps on Day 3, the hosts were 126/7 in their second innings, leading by 155 runs, with lower-order batters Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach unbeaten on 22 and five, respectively.

After taking a useful 29-run first-innings lead by bowling Pakistan out for 282, West Indies failed to build on their advantage as Abbas dismissed Brandon King (5) and Kavem Hodge (0) in the eventful fourth over to hand Pakistan an ideal start with the ball. Following the early setbacks, Amir Jangoo (4) joined opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and the pair cautiously added 21 runs for the third wicket before Mohammad Ali had Jangoo caught behind in the 14th over, reducing West Indies to 28/3.

Mohammad Ali struck again three overs later when he dismissed experienced wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope (10), leaving the hosts struggling at 43/4. After the collapse, all-rounder Justin Greaves joined left-handed opener Chanderpaul, and the pair added 37 runs for the fifth wicket before Aamir Jamal removed Chanderpaul, who top-scored for West Indies with 35 from 101 deliveries. West Indies then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Abbas dismissed Greaves (20), while Khurram Shahzad had captain Roston Chase (8) caught behind, leaving the hosts in trouble at 93/7.

Lower-order pair Joseph and Roach then frustrated the Pakistan attack with an unbeaten 33-run stand for the eighth wicket, ensuring West Indies suffered no further setbacks before the close. The pair will resume the innings on the penultimate day as the hosts look to set Pakistan a challenging victory target. For Pakistan, Abbas has so far taken 3/14 in 13 overs, while Shahzad has claimed two wickets. Mohammad Ali and Jamal have taken one wicket each.

Earlier in the day, Justin Greaves' five-wicket haul helped West Indies bowl Pakistan out for 282 despite a resolute century from Shan Masood, after the hosts had posted 311 in their first innings. Pakistan, who resumed their innings after lunch at 267/8 in reply to West Indies' 311, added just 15 more runs before being dismissed for 282 in 80.1 overs.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)