Only 53.2 overs of play was possible on Day 3 of the second Test match between West Indies and Pakistan at the Sabina Park Cricket Ground after all of Day 2 was washed out due to torrential rain and a wet outfield.
Still, Pakistan have found themselves on top at stumps, thanks to Fawad Alam’s fifth Test hundred – fourth this year – alongside some brilliant display of bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
West Indies were reduced to 39/3 at the close of play after Fawad’s 124 not out helped Pakistan reach 302/9 before declaring. West Indies still trail by 263 runs in the first innings, with two days remaining.
Resuming on 212/4, Pakistan were only able to play eight balls in the first session as a damp area near the bowler’s run-up forced them to walk off the field.
But once the players returned after lunch, West Indies took three wickets in no time to bring themselves back in the contest. Jason Holder (2-46) dismissed Mohammad Rizwan (31) and Nauman Ali with successive balls in the 92nd over after Jayden Seales (3-31) trapped Faheem Ashraf (26) leg before. Pakistan slipped to 231/7.
Fawad, who had to retire hurt on Day 1 due to cramps, returned on Day 3. He added 36 with Hasan Ali (9) for the eighth wicket, and then 35 with Shaheen (19) for the ninth, to take Pakistan past 300 before they declared.
Coming to bat, West Indies lost both Kraigg Brathwaite (4) and Kieran Powell (5) inside the opening six overs to Shaheen (2-13). Roston Chase (10) and Nkrumah Bonner tried to rebuild the innings but the former was cleaned up by Faheem (1-9) in the 14th over.
Bonner and Alzarri Joseph then batted the final four overs to ensure no further damage was done.
Brief scores: Pakistan 302/9 decl. (Fawad Alam 124*; Jayden Seales 3-31) lead West Indies 39/3 (Nkrumah Bonner 18*; Shaheen Afridi 2-13) by 263 runs.