Windies lose Test against Pakistan

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — There was no fairytale end to the second Test for West Indies as they collapsed to a 196-run defeat to Pakistan at Warner Park here Tuesday, to share the two-Test series.

Resuming the fifth and final day on 130 for five in search of an improbable 427 for victory, the hosts lost their final five wickets for 100 to be bowled out for 230, 15 minutes before the lunch break.

Captain Darren Sammy counter-attacked with 41 but found no support from the lower order as left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman (4-65) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (3-79) weaved their magic.

Starting the day needing a virtual miracle to save the game, the die was cast when vice-captain Brendan Nash fell in the day’s third over to a catch at slip by Taufeeq Umar off Ajmal, without adding to his overnight 30.

His dismissal left West Indies in further trouble at 135 for six and Sammy and Carlton Baugh (18) delayed the inevitable with a counter-attacking seventh wicket stand of 36.

Sammy stroked six fours from 51 balls, deciding to be positive after struggling in the early stages against the spinners, while Baugh hit two fours in his 59-ball innings.

Baugh was eventually struck in front by Abdur Rehman, a decision that was only given on referral after umpire Asoka de Silva turned down the initial shout.

Sammy allied with Kemar Roach (12) to add a further 22 for the eighth wicket before his luck ran out and he gifted his wicket to Ajmal, caught at midwicket by his opposite number Misbah-ul-Haq.

Not for the first time, Roach and Ravi Rampaul ensured the tail wagged, with an enterprising ninth-wicket stand of 34.

Rampaul was particularly aggressive, smashing two fours and clean two leg-side sixes off Abdur Rehman. Ironically, he fell tamely, pushing Ajmal to Umar Akmal at silly mid-off at 227 for nine.

Roach’s run out then typified the Windies’ lacklustre performance in the game, ambling lazily back into his ground after charging down the track and being sent back by Devendra Bishoo (3 not out).