DUBAI // After nine wickets fell in the first three days combined, Devendra Bishoo took eight all by himself as the first Test got stuck in fast forward on Day 4.
The Guyanese leg spinner’s haul sparked the sort of collapse that Pakistan have generally consigned to the past during Misbah-ul-Haq’s reign as captain.
They crumbled from 77 for two to 123 all out, leaving West Indies a target of 346 to win at the Dubai International Stadium.
The fact the Caribbean side made it to 95 for two by the close meant a side who have gone 11 matches without a win in Tests — with eight of those being lost — now have an unexpected scent of victory.
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• Day 2: Azhar wins back Pakistan fans with triple century
• Day 1: Lukewarm debut for day/night, but plenty of Pakistan runs
In all the glorious history of West Indies cricket, Bishoo’s eight for 49 was the fifth best bowling figures. They were the best of anyone in a Test in the UAE, the best by a West Indian outside the Caribbean. And, clearly, the best in a day-night Test using a pink ball.
It feels churlish to report it, especially as cheer has been so hard to come by for West Indies players on this tour, but Pakistan’s batsmen basically donated the records to him.
Having started the innings with a 222-run lead, it was clear they had a plan to push the score on to try set up a target. But they seemed to forget the need to put the work in setting themselves first.
Six of Bishoo’s haul of eight were down to batsman error. Babar Azam casually dragged on to his stumps. Sami Aslam provided catching practice for first slip. Misbah played on when aiming a heave into the stands. Mohammed Nawaz left a straight one. Wahab Riaz holed out to a boundary fielder, and Sarfraz Ahmed was stumped.
Perhaps Bishoo’s finest achievement of all was simply being the foremost leg spinner of the day. He certainly stole Yasir Shah’s limelight, just when the Pakistan champion was getting ready to celebrate another banner day of his own.
When Yasir bowled Miguel Cummins, to take his fifth wicket of West Indies’s first innings, it took him to precisely 100 in Tests. In terms of matches played (17), he is the second fastest to that tally, after George Lohmann, who performed his feats in the 19th century.
Accepted wisdom says the first three days of Tests in the UAE can be tough going, before the match speeds up when the wicket wears on Days 4 and 5.
This match has born out that theory to an extreme. The first three days had an aggregate of 994 runs for nine wickets. The fourth saw 16 wickets fall for the concession of 280 in 78 overs.
Hauling in the remaining 251 required to win on the last day is a tough assignment for the West Indies. But, thanks to Bishoo, at least they have a shot.
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