Pakistan Beat West Indies By 109 Runs – Shaheen Shah Afridi Took 10 Wickets

Pakistan defeated West Indies by 109 runs on Tuesday’s fourth day of the second Test at Sabina Park. This victory leveled up the two-match series at 1-1. Left-arm bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with match stats of 10/94.

What Happened At The Match?

Former captain Jason Holder gradually top-scored with 47, but it was his dismissal by the left-arm spinner’s third wicket, Nauman Ali, that calmed Pakistan’s nerves. Kraigg Brathwaite, who was 17, not out overnight, was removed for 39 in the second over when he sliced Nauman Ali straight to point.

Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers put on a 46-run partnership for the seventh wicket at tea, but it was only a reprieve for the Windies.

Shaheen kept Pakistan’s spirits high with a poor first-innings effort of 6 for 51 on the 4th day, which was his best performance so far in the Test innings. However, he returned on the final day to strike critical blows, despite losing an entire day’s play and another session to rain.

Starting the day at 49 for one and facing an implausible target of 329, the West Indies’s top-order batting again let them down. It fell to 113 for six by mid-afternoon despite captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s valiant 39.

As the West Indies were dismissed for 219 on the final day, Shaheen proclaimed 4-43 to go with his career-best figures of 6-51 in the first innings, giving Pakistan a 109-run triumph. The hosts were already in trouble after commencing on 49-1, 280 runs short of the intimidating mark of 329, but they were more concerned with surviving than with seeking victory.

It Was Indeed A Great Team Effort

Within the opening half-hour of the day, Shaheen got the ball rolling for Pakistan by removing nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph with an aggressive top-edged hook caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. He then reappeared in the middle of the day, just as a storm was about to wash across the stadium, to break Kyle Mayers and Holder’s obstinate seventh-wicket partnership.

After that, Afridi drew a poorly timed drive from Joshua da Silva. Then, Faheem Ashraf caught at full-back to dismiss the West Indies for 219 and complete another comeback effort for Pakistan in the Caribbean. Shaheen set the day’s tone by taking the first wicket, and his mates quickly got on board.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is the next big thing in Pakistan Cricket.#WIvPAK #ShaheenAfridi pic.twitter.com/RL1xYt5XlQ

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) August 24, 2021

The left arm-pacer said:

“It was a great effort, a team effort. This is what the team needed and I am just happy that I was able to deliver.”

Final Words

West Indies also lost its previous series with South Africa in June. Now, again they have faced this massive blow from the Pakistani players. So, it looks like they have to brace their men more to compete with more potential in the upcoming matches.

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