Pakistan in commanding position to level series after Shaheen's 6-51

Pakistan tightened their grip over second Test against West Indies on Monday by setting the hosts a target of 329 at Sabina Park. West Indies ended the fourth day at 49/1, 280 runs away from the target with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (17 not out) and nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph (8 not out) at the crease.

Following the hundred from Fawad Alam that took them to 302/9 dec in the first innings, the visitors dominated day four as Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed Test-best 6-51 to reduce West Indies to 150 all out in the first innings just after the lunch interval.

Resuming at 39/3, the Windies didn't have answers to Shaheen's fiery spell as they lost their final six wickets in the space of 45 runs. Jason Holder was the third best batsman with a quickfire 26 from 30 ball behind Nkrumah Bonner's 37 and Jermaine Blackwood's 33, who added 60 runs for the fifth wicket.

"For me it was about keeping a good line throughout because with the support of the other bowlers we always felt we had a chance," said Shaheen.

Mohammad Abbas also claimed an impressive 3-44 when he triggered a middle-order collapse by removing Bonner, Kyle Mayers and Joshua da Silva in quick succession.

Building on a lead of 152, the Pakistani openers Abid Ali and Imran Butt cut loose to put on 70 by just the 10th over of the second innings. Azhar Ali added 22 while Hasan Ali, who was promoted up the order, smashed two sixes in his 11-ball 17. The visitors raced away to 176/6 at better than a run-a-ball through the afternoon, declaring for the second time in the match when captain Babar Azam was dismissed. The declaration provided Pakistani bowlers more than 90 minutes to attack.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell looked comfortable seeing out the day when Powell was a run out due to his carelessness in completing a third run.

(With inputs from AFP)