Sajid Khan shines as Pakistan dismiss West Indies
TRINIDAD:Pakistan’s bowlers wrapped up the West Indies first innings on the second day of the second and final Test at Queen’s Park Oval on Monday, with off-spinner Sajid Khan leading the charge by claiming four wickets.
The Caribbean side were eventually dismissed for 344 runs in 105.4 overs, after resuming their innings from an overnight score of 239 for 5. Despite several determined partnerships and fighting half-centuries, the hosts were unable to build on their solid position as Pakistan’s bowlers struck regularly during the morning session.
Justin Greaves emerged as the top scorer for the West Indies with a composed 73 off 150 deliveries, an innings decorated with nine boundaries. The all-rounder displayed patience and resilience, helping stabilize the innings after the loss of early wickets. Captain Roston Chase also played a significant role, contributing a valuable 70 runs from 126 balls, which included 11 fours. His knock provided the backbone of the middle order and kept Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure for long periods.
Greaves and Chase resumed batting together on the second morning and added another 20 runs to their overnight partnership before Pakistan finally found the breakthrough. The pair had already frustrated the visitors with a crucial 96-run sixth-wicket partnership, helping the West Indies recover from a difficult position.
Pakistan’s breakthrough came in the 82nd over when Ali Usman dismissed skipper Roston Chase, bringing an end to the dangerous stand. The wicket shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favour and opened the door for the visitors to attack the lower order.
Following Chase’s dismissal, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, preventing the remaining West Indies batters from adding substantial contributions. Sajid Khan, who consistently troubled the batters with his accurate off-spin, played a decisive role in cleaning up the tail. His four-wicket haul ensured that the hosts were unable to push their total beyond the 350-run mark.
Pakistan’s bowling attack complemented Sajid well, with Ali Usman providing an important breakthrough at a crucial stage, while the rest of the bowlers kept the scoring under control and applied constant pressure. Their collective effort ensured that West Indies’ promising overnight position did not translate into a commanding first-innings total.
Although the hosts managed to post a competitive score of 344, Pakistan will feel satisfied with the way they fought back after Greaves and Chase threatened to take the game away with their resilient partnership. Restricting the West Indies below 350 gives Pakistan a realistic opportunity to respond strongly with the bat and establish a solid first-innings platform.
The focus now shifts to Pakistan’s batting unit, which will aim to negotiate the West Indies bowling attack and build a substantial reply. With the match evenly poised after the completion of the hosts’ first innings, the visitors will look to capitalize on the momentum generated by their bowlers and gain the upper hand in the remainder of the Test.
