wi vs pak: West Indies Lead by 155 After Day 3 Fightback
Turned sharply on Day 3 in Tarouba, where Justin Greaves took five wickets for no runs and West Indies finished with a 155-run lead. Pakistan now face a tough…
TAROUBA, Trinidad — wi vs pak took a sharp turn on Day 3 of the first Test, with West Indies finishing on 126-7 in their second innings and a 155-run lead over Pakistan. Justin Greaves produced the spell of the match, taking five wickets without conceding a run as Pakistan were dismissed for 282 in reply to West Indies’ 311.
The match now sits on a knife edge. Pakistan must chase 211 on a pitch that has already shown variable bounce, while West Indies hold the advantage after a day that mixed collapse, counter-attack and a late squeeze from the home side’s fast bowlers.
Greaves flips the Test
Greaves, who is in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the format and finished with five consecutive wicket maidens. It was a striking swing in the contest, especially because he had earlier bowled six overs for 27 runs without reward.
"When I came on captain Roston Chase just said 'continue to be disciplined in what you are doing' and to see if I can get some wickets for the team," Greaves said.
"The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations."
"To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I'm really happy, but there's still a lot of work to do in the game."
Greaves removed Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who made 109, after setting him up from over the wicket before a delivery came back and bowled him in the 64th over. Aamer Jamal followed, then Ali Usman was trapped lbw, before Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas fell behind the wicket as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 38 runs.
Pakistan slip after Masood injury
Pakistan’s problems deepened when Shan Masood, the first-innings century-maker, could not bat in his usual No. 3 position on Day 4 because of a finger injury suffered while batting on the third day. The team management said Masood will bat, if required.
That delay mattered. Pakistan’s top order had already been exposed by the West Indies quicks, and the pressure only grew after Jayden Seales opened Day 4 with two consecutive wicket maiden overs. Pakistan were 28-3 at lunch, still far from the target and still dealing with a surface that kept enough in it for the bowlers.
West Indies, meanwhile, found runs where they needed them most. Earlier in the match, Mohammad Abbas took 5-22, his seventh five-wicket haul in Test cricket, but West Indies tailenders pushed the lead past 200 before being bowled out for 181. Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach then added 61 for the eighth wicket, with Joseph making 38 and Roach 18.
That late resistance mattered. It gave West Indies enough cushion to keep Pakistan under pressure on a wicket that has not settled. Babar Azam was unbeaten on 16 at lunch, and Mohammad Rizwan was 1 not out off nine balls when the innings paused, with West Indies fast bowlers continuing to exploit the surface in Tarouba.
The day ended with West Indies on top, Pakistan still hanging on, and a target of 211 looking increasingly awkward as the pitch kept producing uneven bounce and the home attack kept hitting the right areas.
