Kingston – West Indies suffered a setback in their second innings, after Pakistan set them 329 to win the second Test in Jamaica.
The Windies lost left-handed opener Kieran Powell run out for 23 before their captain Kraigg Brathwaite, not out on 17, and nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph, not out on eight, batted through the last half-hour and carried them to 49 for one at the close on the fourth day of the contest at Sabina Park.
The Caribbean side will have the unenviable task of batting out the final day of a Test that has already lost a full day to adverse weather, yet still looks likely to produce a result.
No team has ever successfully chased more than 300 to win a Test at this venue, so Pakistan will fancy their chances after a familiar West Indies batting meltdown in the first innings took shape earlier in the day.
Resuming from their overnight total of 39 for three, the Windies were bowled out about half-hour after lunch for 150 to concede a first innings lead of 152.
Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi led the demolition with a career-best 6-51 from 17.3 overs and Mohammad Abbas took 3-44 from 18 overs.
Nkrumah Bonner finished with the top score of 37 for West Indies, his Jamaican compatriot Jermaine Blackwood made 33 and Jason Holder added 26, but none of the other batsmen for the Caribbean side reached 20.
Loose bowling from West Indies then allowed Pakistan to speed to 176 for six in their second innings before declaring about half-hour after tea, leaving the hosts a minimum of 138 overs to chase their target.
West Indies lead the two-Test series 1-0 after a one-wicket victory inside four days in the first Test, which was also played behind closed doors at the same venue.
Summarised scores:
Pakistan 302 for nine declared (Fawad Alam 124 not out, Babar Azam 75, Mohammad Rizwan 31, Faheem Ashraf 26, Shaheen Shah Afridi 19; Jayden Seales 3-31, Kemar Roach 3-68, Jason Holder 2-46) and 176 for six declared (Imran Butt 37, Babar Azam 33, Abid Ali 29, Azhar Ali 22, Hasan Ali 17, Mohammad Rizwan 10 not out; Alzarri Joseph 2-24, Jason Holder 2-27).
West Indies 150 (Nkrumah Bonner 37, Jermaine Blackwood 33, Jason Holder 26, Roston Chase 10; Shaheen Shah Afridi 17.3-7-51-6, Mohammad Abbas 3-44) and 49 for one (Kieran Powell 23, Kraigg Brathwaite 17 not out).
(Agencies)
