Windies in danger
of following-on
The West Indies were in danger of
being asked to follow-on after Pakistan turned on the screws
in the second cricket Test in Sharjah on Friday.
The West Indies, replying to Pakistan's first innings
total of 472, were reduced to 164 for four by stumps on the
second day, still 109 runs away from making Pakistan bat
again.
West Indian hopes of resurrrecting their chances rest on
captain Carl Hooper, who was unbeaten on 40 with the help of
six boundaries.
Nightwatchman Mervyn Dillon was the other batsman at the
crease, having successfully defended 17 deliveries without
opening his account.
Pakistani bowlers picked up wickets at crucial moments to
keep the West Indians under pressure even on an easy-paced
track that appears full of runs.
The West Indies lost opener Chris Gayle in the fourth
over, bowled off the inside edge by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Daren Ganga and Wavell Hinds retrieved the situation by
adding 69 for the second wicket on either side of tea, before
the rot set in.
Left-hander Hinds made 25 when he was bowled round his
legs while trying to sweep off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.
Ganga, who hit 10 sweetly-timed fours in his 65, failed to
make a bigger impression as he went back to a Shahid Afridi
top-spinner, missed the line and was bowled.
From 88 for one it soon became 159 for four as leg-spinner
Danish Kaneria had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught at silly
point for 16.
The failure of the West Indian batsmen undid the good work
of the bowlers earlier in the day when they captured the last
seven wickets for 128 runs after Pakistan resumed at the
overnight score of 344 for three.
Having dropped four catches on the first day which allowed
Pakistan to put up a commanding score, Hooper's men tightened
their belts to keep the runs in check.
Pakistan, facing the second new ball from the start,
managed just 88 runs from 34 overs in the extended morning
session for the loss of three wickets.
After lunch, birthday boy Cameron Cuffy sliced through the
tail as Pakistan lost their last four wickets for 25 runs to
be all out 35 minutes into the second session.
Cuffy, who turned 32 today, finished with four for 82,
while leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine captured three for 137.
All-rounder Abdur Razzaq remained unbeaten on 64 as
wickets tumbled at the other end.
Mail Cricket Editor
