Azhar, Misbah help Pakistan tighten grip on Barbados Test

A brilliant century from opener Azhar Ali and a resilient 99-run knock from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq saw Pakistan tighten the grip on the second Test after the third day's play against West Indies here at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Tuesday.

After Pakistan secured a lead of 81 in response to West Indies' first inning score of 312, pacer Mohammad Abbas claimed the wicket of Kieran Powell to left the host at 40-1 at Stumps on Day Three. Kraigg Brathwaite was on eight with Shimron Hetmyer on 22 at the close of the day's play.

Retiring skipper Misbah, who had the dubious honour of becoming the first player from his country to finish on 99, was left stranded just a run short of an 11th Test century as he failed to control a rising delivery from West Indies captain Jason Holder with the ball hitting his glove and popping up for an easy catch at second slip.

Starting the day at 172 for three, both Azhar and Misbah played cautiously on a deteriorating pitch and made sure Pakistan gain the 81-run lead before getting bundled for 393.

The opening batsman, who had showed immense patience on Day Two, started off cautiously with his skipper as they both scored only 54 runs in the morning session.

Azhar brought his 13th Test hundred with a beautiful cut off a short ball from Devendra Bishoo. However, the leg spinner, in his very next over, got the Pakistan opener caught at first slip.

The last five wickets of the visitors fell for 77 runs, with Shannon Gabriel and the impressive Holder combining to wrap up the innings. However, birthday boy Yasir Shah frustrated the host with his 24-run knock.

Gabriel scalped four wickets while Holder and Bishoo claimed three-three each.