Brathwaite fifty, lower order set Pakistan tricky 254 as WI look to level series

(5.2 ov, T:254) 154 & 9/2

Tea West Indies 163 and 244 (Brathwaite 52, Sajid 4-76, Noman 4-80) lead Pakistan 154 by 253 runs

West Indies produced perhaps the best batting performance of the series, led by a half-century from their captain Kraigg Brathwaite, to take control of the second Test. They further solidified their position in the middle session, with the lower order producing several useful contributions, to set Pakistan 254 for victory. A 51-run seventh-wicket stand between Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair ensured Pakistan would not be able to run through West Indies, as they had threatened to do in the final hour before lunch.

Brathwaite had challenged his side to be more aggressive, and led from the front. The tempo was set when he launched Sajid Khan over long-on for six in the fifth over, before consecutive boundaries to start off Noman Ali‘s spell. It sent the message that the spin duo wasn’t going to have things their way, and Brathwaite kept reinforcing that in offence and defence. Abrar Ahmed, too, saw his second ball whipped through midwicket for four.

But Mikyle Louis, Brathwaite’s opening partner, was neither as positive nor looked as comfortable. That was how Pakistan got back into the game: they drew Louis into a prod towards the off side, and Shan Masood took a straight forward catch at short extra cover.

Debutant Amir Jangoo, though, took a leaf out of his captain’s book. Brathwaite slapped Noman for six over long-on, but found himself slowed down as he approached his half-century. Jangoo, though, motored along nicely, and when he helped himself to two boundaries off Abrar in an over, West Indies, in total control, had their lead inching towards three figures.

But Pakistan’s spinners were bringing them back into the game. Brathwaite survived two raised fingers off consecutive deliveries with successful reviews, but fell the next over when he tried to charge Noman and ended up getting beaten by extra turn. It was a manner of dismissal almost identical to the one that would snare Kavem Hodge in the minutes before lunch.

In the meantime, Sajid, too, was getting into the game. He had dismissed Jangoo shortly after Brathwaite went walkabout, forcing the issue with a sweep when he appeared to have misjudged the flight and the pitch of the delivery. It ended up taking a feather off the bottom of the bat to slip, and West Indies were left with two new batters at the crease.

The final over before lunch saw Pakistan strike a fifth time. Noman landed the ball in the footmarks and ripped it back into the pads of Alick Athanaze. An enthused appeal, needed partially because Pakistan have burnt all three reviews, was successful.

Pakistan continued making inroads when a miscued reverse sweep from Justin Greaves found backward point. But as the visitors have done all series, their lower order dug in. Imlach and Sinclair did not take too many risks as they worked to build up a conventional Test partnership, and the runs appeared to follow. The duo batted for nearly 14 overs as Pakistan rotated through their bowlers, and the quest for a wicket became increasingly desperate.

The breakthrough came in unlikely fashion when Sinclair somehow played all around a Sajid delivery from around the wicket, throwing his head to the skies in frustration. Imlach succumbed shortly after to fast bowler Kashif Ali, who was naggingly accurate on the brief occasion he was called upon.

Yet again, however, the bottom two partnerships found ways of contributing. Gudakesh Motie combined with Jomel Warrican to add a further 27, before Kemar Roach, injured taking a splendid catch on Saturday, limped out to add a few more crucial runs. He got his side past 250 before Sajid finally wrapped the innings up. But the first two-thirds of the day have gone entirely to plan for West Indies.

Danyal Rasool is ESPNcricinfo’s Pakistan correspondent. @Danny61000