Jason
Holder’s side wins Bridgetown Test by 106 Runs, level series 1-1
Saving Fortress Bridgetwon
On Thursday at Kensington Oval,
Barbados West Indies registered a remarkable victory defeating a shell shocked
Pakistan by massive 106 runs. In the process they not only squared the series
at 1-1 but also took the rug under the feet of Misbah’s men who only a day
before seemed confident to create history by becoming first team to win test
series in Caribbean. At last the West Indies rose up to the challenge,
challenge to save their pride and an impeccable record at Bridgetown especially
against sub continental sides. Whether the win will inspire them to raise their
game or not it is a thing which can be predicated but for now it’s time for
Jason Holder and his men to savour the sensational win, soak up the moment for such
wins have became rarer.
Pakistan falls to an all-time low
As Sarafraz Ahmed was caught by
Roston Chase off Jason Holder, Pakistan succumbed to their second lowest total
against West Indies. While their previous lowest 77 came against an iconic West
Indian side, this embarrassing drubbing against a talented yet highly
struggling side will raise questions and open of Pandora box back home, for
Misbah will have to be ready for some stern questions that how a team who was
ranked as no.1, Six months ago have fallen down to such a low. The loss also
opened up the question why the teams from subcontinent find it so difficult to
win at Barbados. This freshened up cricket fans memories how 20 years back
Sachin Tendulkar led Indian side failed to chase a modest 120 on pacy pitch and
were shot for 81, the same score at which Pakistan have been gunned down by
West Indian pacers albeit on sluggish surface where runs were hard to come by
as test progressed.
A Young team fight backs
For West Indies
must be proud of their effort , this was an young team which stands nowhere in
front of Pakistan in terms of experience but all those young experienced guys put their hand up for
the pride of the Country . Brathwaite made 43 in second innings, Powell scored
38 in first , Vishaul Singh made handy 32 and added 80 crucial runs with Shai
Hope who played innings of supreme class.Unproven Hope was on edge after
failure in first three innings but showed immense maturity the way he played
Yasir and Shadab Khan . His 90 proved to be match winning contribution. Roston
Chase made a brilliant 131 in first innings, while Captain Holder rose above
all criticism made an excellent 58 and took 6 wickets in the match with a
miserly economy. Young Alzari Joseph bowled his heart out but one man who stood
out and rightly received man of match was Shanon Gabriel, a speedster who
have shown immense improvement and seems
to have come out of age. He destroyed Pakistan with reverse swing and pace and
ending up with remarkable figures of 5-11 in the innings and 9-92 in the match.
Historic Win
Pakistan started
the chase for 188 earlier after West Indies were shot out in first over of the
morning for 268 setting Pakistan a target of 188 to win .Pakistan were soon
12-2 as Azhar Ali couldn’t resist pulling a short ball from Gabriel and Babar
Azam was caught on leg side , Azam scored pair in the match. Younis and Shehzad
took the score to 27-2 but it soon slumped to 36-7 as Pakistan lost 5 wickets
for 9 runs. Younis was trapped in front of Holder while Misbah out on referral
caught for 0 off Gabriel, Gabriel also knocked off Asad Shafiq . At Lunch
Pakistan were reduced to 35-5 which soon became 36-7 after lunch with Shehzad
and Shadab out in first three overs .Mohammad Amir showed the kind of urgency
which the top order should have shown ,with Sarfaraz he took the score to 77-7
and when it looked that both of them will make a match of it. Gabriel dismissed
Amir , in next work he knocked off Yasir picking up his 9th wicket
of the match.Captain Holder though prevented him taking first 10 wicket haul as
he dismissed Sarfaraz ending a dismal inning from Pakistan at 81. For West
Indies it was a stunning turnaround which has left their supporters shocked
this time though for good.
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