Azhar Ali stands tall as Pakistan hold edge in Barbados Test

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali scored an unbeaten 81 to help his side gain an upper hand in the ongoing second Test against West Indies here at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Monday.

After the host got bundled out for 312, Azhar and Ahmed Shehzad (70) shared a 155-run opening partnership and laid the foundation for a strong reply.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo eventually broke the opening stand by having Shehzad caught at slip before getting Younis Khan for a duck.

Gabriel removed Babar Azam, also without scoring, to a catch off his own bowling.

At stumps on Day Three, the visitors reached stumps at 172 for three and trail by 140 runs. However, the West Indies did hit back with three wickets in the final hour of the day to somewhat lesson the advantage.

Azhar, who have stayed at the crease for more than five hours during his 193-ball knock, will resume on the third morning alongside captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Earlier in the day, the West Indies' hopes of pushing for a big first inning score were dashed within the first two overs of the morning as overnight batsmen Roston Chase (131) and skipper Jason Holder (58) were dismissed without any addition to the overnight total of 286 for six.

Holder was caught behind off Mohammad Abbas and Chase edged Mohammad Amir to Younis at second slip in the next over.

Abbas then took the wicket of Bishoo to finish with 4-56 before Yasir Shah bowled Alzarri Joseph to bring an end to West Indies' innings.