Batsmen from both teams showed a contempt for runs but that had no bearing on the way the contest has progressed so far as Pakistan ended the third day of the second Test on Sunday in Abu Dhabi at 114/1, with a huge lead of 342.
West Indies could only add 118 to their overnight score of 106/4, folding out for 224 in response to Pakistan's first inning score of 452. After missing out in the first innings, Pakistan's openers Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali posted half centuries, but West Indies' Shannon Gabriel got the wicket of Aslam a few overs before the close.
Yet again, Yasir Shah (4/86) was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers and the pace duo of Rahat Ali (3/45) and Sohail Khan (2/35) also chipped in for Pakistan to take a significant lead. Apart from skipper Jason Holder, there was very little intent from the West Indian batsmen to get the scoreboard moving. It could perhaps be the reason why they could only muster 118 runs in the day from 49.4 overs.
Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali had to see off a fine display of fast bowling at the beginning of Pakistan's second innings. With two full days of play left, there were no careless shots from Aslam and Ali as the duo looked confident against the dangerous Devendra Bishoo.
Gabriel deservedly got the only Pakistan wicket to fall – inducing an edge from Aslam just after the the southpaw brought up his half-century. The decision was referred by the batsman before walking back. Ali crawled to his half-century soon after. Gabriel ended the last ball of the day's play with a wayward delivery on the leg side, which beat keeper Shai Hope's dive and raced to the boundary for four byes. West Indies yet again find themselves hoping for a miracle.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 452 (Younis Khan 127, Misbah-ul-Haq 96; Shannon Gabriel 5/96) & 114/1 (Azhar Ali 52 not out, Sami Aslam 50; Shannon Gabriel 1/21) lead West Indies 224 (Darren Bravo 43; Yasir Shah 4/86, Rahat Ali 3/45) by 342 runs