Pak build commanding lead over WI

Abu Dhabi, October 23

Openers Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam hit half-centuries to help Pakistan strengthen their grip on the third day of the second Test against West Indies.

Ali was unbeaten on 52 and Asad Shafiq five not out as Pakistan reached 114-1 at stumps, increasing their lead to 342 after dismissing West Indies for 224 in their first innings.

That had given Pakistan a first innings lead of 228 and left them firmly in control as they look to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan won the first Test —a day-night affair played with the pink ball — by 56 runs to take a 1-0 advantage. But despite the West Indies falling 29 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq decided not to enforce it and batted again. Both Ali and Aslam survived leg-before decisions through referrals after on-field umpire Michael Gough had raised his finger on both occasions.

Gough has now seen four of his decisions overturned in the match with fellow English umpire Richard Illingworth forced to change his initial verdict three times.

Brief scores: Pakistan: 452 and 114/1 (Azhar 52*, Aslam 50); West Indies: 224 (Bravo 43, Yasir 4/86). — AFP