West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves produced a career-best bowling performance to put his side in command against Pakistan after claiming a sensational maiden five-wicket haul on day three of the Test match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
_x000D_Greaves finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 27, helping West Indies dismiss Pakistan for 282 and secure a valuable 29-run first-innings lead after posting 311 in their opening innings.
_x000D_ _x000D_Justin Greaves Stars With Maiden Five-Wicket Haul
_x000D_Pakistan resumed their innings after lunch on 267/8, hoping to erase the deficit, but Greaves struck immediately by dismissing Mohammad Abbas without scoring to complete his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
_x000D_Lower-order batter Khurram Shahzad battled hard with 19 runs from 36 deliveries, but veteran pacer Kemar Roach wrapped up the innings to hand West Indies a narrow but significant advantage.
_x000D_Roach and Shamar Joseph claimed two wickets each, while Jayden Seales contributed one wicket in an impressive all-round bowling effort.
_x000D_ _x000D_Shan Masood’s Century Goes in Vain
_x000D_Earlier in the day, Pakistan looked well placed thanks to an excellent partnership between Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha, who added 47 runs for the fourth wicket.
_x000D_Masood reached his seventh Test century, scoring a superb 109 off 184 balls, including 12 boundaries, marking his first hundred since stepping down as Pakistan’s Test captain.
_x000D_However, West Indies fought back strongly after Shamar Joseph bowled Agha for 20, before Greaves ripped through the middle order.
_x000D_ _x000D_West Indies Turn the Match Around
_x000D_Following Masood’s dismissal, Greaves continued his destructive spell by removing Aamir Jamal, debutant Ali Usman, and Mohammad Rizwan, reducing Pakistan from a solid position to 259/8.
_x000D_His remarkable spell shifted the momentum completely in West Indies’ favour and ensured the hosts entered the second innings with the upper hand.
_x000D_ _x000D_West Indies Eye Match Control
_x000D_With a 29-run first-innings lead, West Indies are now well positioned to build a commanding advantage in the fourth innings, while Pakistan will need an inspired bowling display to remain in the contest.
_x000D_Greaves’ outstanding performance has not only given West Indies control of the Test but also highlighted his growing importance in the Caribbean bowling attack.