West Indies stretch lead to 155 after Pakistan collapse in Trinidad Test

West Indies ended the third day of the first Test in Trinidad 155 runs ahead after Pakistan’s batting unravelled from a position of strength and the tourists then struck back with the ball late on Monday.

At stumps, the home side were 126-7 in their second innings after 14 wickets fell across a fluctuating day. Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 282 in reply to West Indies’ first-innings 311, conceding a lead of 29.

Pakistan looked set to seize control when they moved to 244-3 in the morning, with captain Shan Masood completing his seventh Test hundred. But the innings folded rapidly as the side lost seven wickets for 38 runs.

Justin Greaves drove that turnaround for West Indies with career-best figures of 5-27. After Shamar Joseph removed Salman Agha to end a 47-run fourth-wicket stand, Greaves cut through the middle and lower order with disciplined wicket-to-wicket bowling.

Masood was one of his key scalps, bowled for 109 after an innings lasting more than five hours. He faced 184 balls and hit 12 fours. Pakistan’s resistance at the end delayed the finish of the innings until Kemar Roach, using the second new ball, dismissed Khurram Shazad.

Pakistan’s bowlers then pulled the match back into contention on an increasingly two-paced pitch. Mohammad Abbas led the effort and had Greaves caught for 20 by a diving Babar Azam at cover for his third wicket.

Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul said the attack had improved after a difficult start to the match. He said, "We didn’t execute our plans the way we should have on the first day, but for the second day and the second innings our bowlers hit the right areas and bowled a bit up [fuller]."

He also praised Abbas’ role in the attack, saying, "He is so experienced. He’s played a lot of red ball cricket and is not only leading from the front but is helping the younger bowlers as well."

West Indies still found useful runs late in the day. Roach held firm at one end, while Joseph struck three sixes in an unbeaten 22 that could prove important heading into the fourth day.