Pakistan took firm control of the Port of Spain Test on day three also reducing the West Indies to 103 for 6 by stumps. With the hosts holding a precarious 60-run lead, Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Khan and Ali Usman ripped through the Caribbean batting lineup in a dramatic final session.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan was bowled out for 387 with securing a 43-run first-innings lead. Despite a monumental unbeaten 160 from opener Abdullah Shafique and a solid 88 from captain Babar Azam, Pakistan suffered a sudden collapse. They lost their last eight wickets for just 106 runs and largely due to a marathon bowling effort by West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
Bowling 46 overs to cover for an injured Roston Chase, Warrican claimed a career-best 6 for 112 his first five-wicket haul at home. "To take up the mantle of working hard and get rewarded, it felt extremely special" Warrican noted.
However, the West Indies' joy was short-lived. Sajid Khan (4-32) and Usman turned the game on its head in the third session. Sajid’s vicious off-spin proved unplayable on a wearing track with dismantling the top order. A lapse in concentration from Chase on the day's final ball gifted Usman a wicket and cementing Pakistan's dominance.
Looking ahead to day four, Sajid emphasized the importance of restricting the target to under 70 runs. He also pointed out Pakistan's strategic advantage in the impending run chase "We are playing two spinners, while they only have one. It will be important for our batters to take their time" Sajid said, expressing confidence in navigating the fourth-innings pitch.
Scorecard: West Indies 344 and 103 for 6 (Sajid 4-32) lead Pakistan 387 (Shafique 160*, Babar 88, Warrican 6-112) by 60 runs
