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WI uneasy after top-order slump

Resolute Alam lifts Pakistan with unbeaten century

Published:Monday | August 23, 2021 | 12:10 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
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Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam (centre) plays a shot on the way to scoring 124 not out, during action on the third day in the cricket Test match against the West Indies at Sabina Park yesterday.
Cricket West Indies photo
Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam (centre) plays a shot on the way to scoring 124 not out, during action on the third day in the cricket Test match against the West Indies at Sabina Park yesterday.
West Indies bowler, Jason Holder (right), celebrates taking a wicket with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (centre) and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, during day three action of the cricket Test match at Sabina Park yesterday
Cricket West Indies photo
West Indies bowler, Jason Holder (right), celebrates taking a wicket with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (centre) and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, during day three action of the cricket Test match at Sabina Park yesterday
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ONCE AGAIN the West Indies top order could not cope with the pace and swing of Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed two early wickets as the hosts closed the third day of the second Test on 39 for three, still trailing by 263 runs after...

ONCE AGAIN the West Indies top order could not cope with the pace and swing of Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed two early wickets as the hosts closed the third day of the second Test on 39 for three, still trailing by 263 runs after Pakistan had declared their first innings on 302 for nine.

Afridi continued to torment the Windies openers as he removed Kieron Powell for five then bowled West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite for four to leave the home side reeling at nine for two.

A dogged 25-run partnership between Nkrumah Bonner and Roston Chase re-energised the Windies innings. However, Faheem Ashraf got the ball to nip back and hit the stumps of Chase, who went for 10 runs after hitting a four and a six.

When bad light ended play, Bonner was left not out on 18, which included four fours, while night-watchman Alzarri Joseph is yet to score after facing 16 balls. The entire second day was washed out.

Earlier, Pakistan built their formidable total around a brilliant, unbeaten century from Fawad Alam, who batted resolutely to remain not out on 124 from 213 balls. The left-hander hit 17 fours after he had returned to continue his innings, having retired after suffering from heat exhaustion on Day One.

Alam returned to the crease on 76 after Jayden Seales had sent back Ashraf for 26 at 218 for five. The left-hander shared in two partnerships of 30-plus runs, first with Hasan Ali (9) and then with Shaheen Shah Afridi (19), to get the visitors over the 300-mark before the declaration.

FIGHT AND DETERMINATION

During the time, Alam brought up his fifth Test century off 186 balls, and the left-hander was pleased with the fight and determination that he showed.

“I am very happy. Whenever you score a century for your country you feel proud. I try to keep it simple. I keep speaking to my father. He has always kept telling me that my time will come and to believe in myself,” said Alam.

In the meantime, Jayden Seales ended with three wickets for 31 runs, and Kemar Roach finished with three for 68.

Jason Holder, who ended with two for 46, believes that there is still a lot of runs left in the pitch with still two days to play.

“It is that kind of a new-ball wicket whereby if you can get past the new ball with little damage, it’s a very good track to bat on,” said Holder. “I expect that when the sun comes out tomorrow (today) and everything is even, everything should level off.”