Azhar Ali's determined graft extends Pakistan lead

Devendra Bishoo broke the 86-run union between Sarfraz Ahmed (42) and Azhar Ali (80 not out) by dislodging the former to leave the final Test against West Indies in Sharjah evenly-poised at Lunch on Day 4. Pakistan were 159 for 5, only 103 runs in front at the break on Wednesday (November 2).

For long periods of the session, Azhar and Sarfraz brought stability to Pakistan's innings with a crucial alliance to push the lead, but just 45 minutes before the break, Sarfraz was dismissed by Bishoo. The plucky wicket-keeper-batsman played a half-hearted cut shot and could only edge it to Darren Bravo at slip, who snapped up a sharp catch. The disappointment of getting out at a crucial juncture of the match was writ large on Sarfraz's face.

Azhar, however, shielded Pakistan's lower-middle-order and steered them to the break. The 31-year-old opener struck to the age-old virtues of buckling down to nullify the threat of West Indies' pacers, while Sarfraz was more adventurous as he cracked a few drives to add useful runs to the tally.

As the session progressed, Sarfraz got surer with his technique and as soon as he was presented with an opportunity, the 29-year-old was more severe on the bowling. The duo looked set to take the game away from West Indies' grasp, but Bishoo lifted the visitors by snuffing out Sarfraz.

West Indies, though, couldn't inflict more damage as Mohammad Nawaz defended with assuredness to navigate through the remainder of the session. Pakistan would hope that the partnership between Nawaz and Azhar blossoms and they can stretch the lead as far as possible.

West Indies, on the other hand, would worry about the fact that Shannon Gabriel struggled for direction. Even when he changed the angle and bowled from round the wicket, he couldn't maintain a disciplined line and length. To make matters worse, Alzarri Joseph, the 19-year-old pacer from Antigua, seemed to be struggling with a shoulder niggle after he dived full length to stop a boundary.

The visitors need a spark of inspiration from somewhere to win the Test. Pakistan have already won the three-match Test series 2-0, but a consolation victory away from home would boost the morale of West Indies.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 281 (Sami Aslam 74, Misbah-ul-Haq 53; Devendra Bishoo 4-74) and 159/5 (Azhar Ali 80*; Jason Holder 3-26) lead West Indies 337 (Kraigg Brathwaite 142*, Roston Chase 50; Wahab Riaz 5-88) by 103 runs.