Momentum swung back and forth in the first day of the third Test at Sharjah on Sunday, but it was West Indies who ended the day on a high after snaring five scalps in the final session.
Pakistan had two wickets down with just one run on the board but recovered through solid half-centuries from top-scorer Sami Aslam (72), Younis Khan (51), Misbah-ul-Haq (53) and Sarfraz Ahmed (51). Pacer Shannon Gabriel (3/58) set the tone early on, before ace spinner Devendra Bishoo (4/74) landed the telling blows in the middle-order.
The pitch showed very little threat to the batsmen and Misbah-ul-Haq, yet again, had no hesitation to bat first. Bending his back to generate pace and movement, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq were removed for ducks by Gabriel. Veteran Younis Khan and Aslam patiently went about repairing the innings. The duo added 106 for the third wicket with Roston Chase picking up Younis Khan's wicket. Leon Johnson took a fine diving catch at mid-wicket.
The Pakistan skipper and Ahmed also did well to put in the initial hard work. Some of the shots that the Pakistan batsmen played defied logic, throwing their advantage away after tea, where they lost five wickets.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 255/8 (Sami Aslam 74, Misbah ul Haq 53; Devendra Bishoo 4/74, Shannon Gabriel 3/58) vs West Indies