WI tour of Pak, Jan 16-28

[sussexpob]

The pitch is not as obviously bad as the first test, but its one of the subtly difficult surfaces where the inconsistencies are not consistent. You can play 20 perfect blocks, then from nowhere one is going to grip and take the edge, or you think the ball is in the right place to attack and it skids on the ground or bounces.

IIRC, three Windies bats got out playing the sweep to pretty much the same ball from Noman..... one pitches on middle and straightens a little, but rolls on the floor and beats the under edge - lbw low middle stump. The next straightens but bounces and catches the top edge - out caught in the close field. The third bounces a lot and doesn't spin at all - lbw high on leg stump.

Another pitch that is not rewarding good cricket.

[Durhamfootman]

pitches that reward good cricket?

that's commie talk, mister

you won't find any of those in Pakistan any time soon.... they've found a formula that they think is a winner

[andy]

At the end of the day yes it isn't ideal but home conditions are home conditions...and I'd rather see games like this then 700 plays 600 and it's a dull draw....people need to learn to bat in those conditions ts as simple as at the end of the day

[mikesiva]

Better batting in the second innings.

West Indies 244 all out

Braithwaite 52
Imlach 35

Sajid 4-76
Noman 4-80

Target 254

[sussexpob]

Windies slight favourites maybe at this point..... lower order has scored valuable runs this test

[sussexpob]

Sinclair strikes first ball.... ball just skids on a little, no turn, Shan misses it.... pretty terrible review, was clearly out

Trademark somersault celebration for Sinclair also....

[sussexpob]

5-2 .. I have no idea what Hurrareia was doing there. Two overs in, just no need to be playing reverse sweeps at this point.

Ball bounced on him, miss.... Pakistan already in deep trouble. No big turn or any spin as yet, but just some hint of uneven pace and bounce reacting from the pitch.

Ouf, Sinclair almost has Babar.... Pakistan not picking up his arm ball at all

[sussexpob]

Kamran dropped.... went quick, but thats a chance.

Not liking the captaincy here... had a couple of bat pads already. I want to see 8 men round the bat here, Pakistan are under huge pressure.

[sussexpob]

Another drop, this time Babar. Chips it back to the bowler, Motie has to catch that... simple.

Windies giving Pakistan some let offs

[Arthur Crabtree]

47-2. WI need to break this stand pronto.

[sussexpob]

47-2. WI need to break this stand pronto.

There is the big one... Babar Azam loops a bat pad to short legside fielder.... 71-4.

Sending in the nightwatchman.... I don't like that idea. Warrican and Sinclair are creating chances.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Given how well the lower order has prospered in the Test, maybe a case for Pakistan to see out the newer ball and attack later.

Maybe they expect a ball to arrive with their name on it, whatever they do. But my guess is they need to take 20 overs out the game.

[sussexpob]

Warrican has bowled superbly. Saud is living very dangerously

Edit - this is becoming ridiculous. Warrican has had a drop and about 10 balls flash past the edge in about 3 overs.

Older ball now ragging all over.

Hard to see how Pakistan win this game.

[mikesiva]

Pakistan 133 all out

Babar 31

Warrican 5-27
Sinclair 3-61

West Indies won by 120 runs.

Series tied 1-1.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Steamrollered. Well done WI.