Windies move into position of strength

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS: Tearaway Bajan speedster Fidel Edwards grabbed five for 38 as the West Indies skittled Pakistan for a meagre 144 yesterday with the regional batsmen consolidating as the Windies closed Day Two of the first Digicel Test in a position of strength. The 23-year-old fast bowler ripped through the inexperienced visitors’ batting as the home team, which totalled 345 on day one, secured a first innings lead of 201. Pakistan captain Younis Khan was the Pakistanis’ top scorer with 31. Corey Collymore took three for 20 while Reon King claimed two for 46. The West Indies, buoyed by an even 50 from Chris Gayle and a fluent 48 by Brian Lara, stretched their lead to a satisfying 369 as they closed on 168 for four in their second innings.

Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed an important, unbeaten 37 in just under two hours. Shahid Afridi took two for 26, including the key scalp of Lara, and there was a wicket apiece for Danish Kaneria and Abdul Razzaq. Pakistan’s batsmen never established any meaningful partnerships once they resumed on 22 without loss. The pacy Edwards struck with the third ball of the day to give the West Indies a bright start. Shahid Afridi had already signalled his intentions with a top-edged hook for four that took him to 1,000 Test runs. But next ball, a full outswinger, the hard-hitting right-hander edged to third slip where Smith clung onto a waist-high chance. Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt saw their team past the half century, but Edwards tilted the balance back to the home team by removing an unconvincing Yasir on 12.

Reon King should have had a wicket with his first delivery, but Butt’s flashing edge was floored at second slip by Ramnaresh Sarwan. Collymore restored the West Indian advantage as Butt edged to the wicket-keeper chasing a wide ball. The left-hander cracked six fours off 56 deliveries. Younis Khan and debutant Bazid Khan set about repairing the early damage in an assured fourth wicket stand. But Collymore cut short Bazid just before lunch to keep West Indies on top. Bazid, who joins his grandfather Jahangir Khan and Majid Khan as a Test cricketer, prodded forward defensively and an inside edge to the wicket-keeper.

The Pakistan innings fell away rapidly when they continued after lunch at 96 for four. King’s fourth ball removed Asim Kamal for a duck as the left-hander sliced to gully and Younis Khan fell in the next over, miscuing a pull to mid-on off Edwards. Kamran Akmal chased a wide ball from King and slapped a catch to point and the lower order faded rapidly. Openers Gayle and Devon Smith maintained home team supremacy with an opening stand of 59 before Pakistan clawed back into contention in half hour into the final session. The tourists claimed three wickets for six runs in the space of 13 balls as West Indies slumped to 65 for three. Razzaq made the initial breakthrough as Smith (10) snicked a cut to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who snared another catch to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan to an under-edged cut off Afridi.

Then Kaneria was reintroduced and ended the 57-ball knock of Gayle. The left-hander, who struck six fours, prodded to short leg off bat and pad. Pakistan’s buoyant mood was quickly quelled by Lara and Chanderpaul, as the pair put on 72 for the fourth wicket to keep their side on top. Lara was within two of his half century when a slick stumping by Akmal off Afridi cut him short and lifted the visitors again. The star left-hander cracked five fours and a six off 52 deliveries. But Chanderpaul found another solid ally in Wavell Hinds and the pair added 31 unbroken before the close. Chander-paul notched one boundary in 37 not out while Hinds contributed 14. AP