Pakistan hand Windies heavy defeat

This was Pakistan’s first Test victory in the Caribbean since 1988, and earned it a 1-1 share of the two-match series. Ahmed took three of the four wickets to fall as the Windies, tottering overnight on 114 for six in pursuit of 280, was bowled for 143 in 51 minutes.

Ahmed, under ICC scrutiny for an illegal action, ended with four for 55. Legspinner Danish Kaneria, who ripped apart the home team’s top order on Monday, claimed 5-46 and the Man of the Match award. This was his 11th fiver in 28 Test matches.

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who hit 50 and 117 not out in the win, paid tribute to his bowlers.

"Danish and Shabbir took advantage of this wicket and bowled well," he said. "The difference was Danish’s bowling. It was not easy on this track batting on the fourth and fifth day." West Indies skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul said after the match, "It’s been a long and hard season for us and I think they (Pakistan) took better advantage of the pitch. The match was evenly balanced until the final session on Monday."

Overnight pair Courtney Browne and Daren Powell stood firm for the first half-hour before Kaneria made the break.

Powell smacked a couple of meaty pulls for boundaries off Ahmed but was given out on 12 by David Shepherd, standing in his final Test, to a questionable bat-pad catch at silly point.

The end came swiftly after that as Shabbir took centre stage. Browne (10) drove and clipped a thick edge to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who also pouched a snick from Reon King (4). The Pakistani gloveman ended the two-match rubber with 16 dismissals.

The end came when Tino Best (4) miscued an ambitious drive to mid-off where Shahid Afridi completed the dismissal. Corey Collymore, who took 11 wickets in the match, was left on seven not out.

West Indies made 404 in the first innings, built on Brian Lara’s 30th Test century. Pakistan made 374 and 309, with Inzamam’s 22nd Test hundred coming after he was dropped when on nought by Windies wicketkeeper and vice-captain Courtney Browne.

Pakistan, still seeking its first Test series success in the West Indies, equalled the 1988 squad under Imran Khan which also drew that series. The West Indies won the first Test in Barbados in comprehensive fashion by 276 runs, but Pakistan head home with the honours, having rallied to draw the series and whitewashing the regional side in the One Day series 3-0 — their first success in any series in the Caribbean.

Windies star batsman Brian Lara was named Man of the Series for his two centuries — one in each Test match.

The match also brought to an end the 25-year career of veteran English-born umpire David Shepherd, who after the game met with Lara who presented him with his (Lara) bat from which the star batsman’s two centuries against Pakistan were scored.

The autographed bat also read: "To David Shepherd...Thank you for the service, the memories, the professionalism. Enjoy your retirement. Brian Lara."