TAROUBA, Trinidad: The Brian Lara Cricket Academy witnessed a masterclass in seam bowling on Monday as Mohammad Abbas produced a devastating spell to leave the West Indies tottering at 126/7 at stumps on the third day of the first Test.
The veteran pacer’s incisive opening burst, which dismissed both openers inside his first four overs, triggered a top-order collapse that has put Pakistan firmly in the driver’s seat despite conceding a first-innings lead.
Stumps on Day Three 🏏
Pakistan pacers kept the pressure on as West Indies finished the day on 126-7, with a lead of 155 runs.#WIvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/R7wfBUC7g9
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 27, 2026
With only three second-innings wickets in hand and a slender lead of 155 runs, the home side find themselves on the back foot against a resurgent Pakistan bowling attack that has extracted every ounce of assistance from a tricky pitch. The lower-order duo of Shamar Joseph (22) and Kemar Roach (5) held firm through an unbeaten 33-run partnership to deny Pakistan further breakthroughs, but the damage had already been done.
Abbas strikes twice in devastating opening spell
The 34-year-old right-arm seamer, playing his first Test since July 2021, announced his return in spectacular fashion. Abbas struck in the fourth over of the West Indies second innings, first trapping Brandon King leg-before for five and then removing Kavem Hodge for a golden duck with a delivery that seamed away late.
The double-wicket maiden sent shockwaves through the home dressing room and set the tone for Pakistan’s disciplined bowling display.
West Indies batting crumbles under pressure
The hosts, who had earlier secured a 29-run lead by bowling out Pakistan for 282, failed to capitalise on their advantage. Mohammad Ali compounded their misery by dismissing Amir Jangoo (4) and the experienced Shai Hope (10), reducing West Indies to a precarious 43/4.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul emerged as the lone resistance, crafting a gritty 35 off 101 deliveries before falling to Aamir Jamal. The procession continued as Khurram Shahzad removed captain Roston Chase (8) and Abbas returned to claim Justin Greaves (20), leaving the hosts reeling at 93/7.
Greaves’ historic five-wicket haul earlier in the day
The day had started dramatically in Pakistan’s favour, with overnight batsmen Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha extending their fourth-wicket partnership. Masood brought up his seventh Test century, his first since being replaced as captain by Babar Azam, looking set to guide Pakistan to a commanding total.
However, West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves produced one of the most remarkable bowling spells in Test cricket history. The 32-year-old claimed five wickets without conceding a run in a sequence of consecutive wicket maidens, believed to be a first in the format.
Greaves dismissed Masood (109), Agha (20), Aamir Jamal (3), debutant Ali Usman (0), and Mohammad Rizwan (12), triggering a stunning collapse from 244/4 to 259/8. Pakistan’s innings folded for 282, with Khurram Shahzad’s defiant 19 providing late resistance.
Day four prospects
With the match hanging in exquisite balance, Pakistan will fancy their chances of wrapping up the West Indies innings early on day four. The pitch has offered variable bounce and seam movement throughout, making run-scoring increasingly difficult.
BOX OFFICE DAY 4 LOADING AT THE BRIAN LARA CRICKET ACADEMY. 🍿🔥
– West Indies are 126/7 & lead by 155 runs.
– Pakistan need three quick wickets to keep the target within reach.#WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/qfGnUiywsL
— Shoaib Akhtar (@MashhoodZo80732) July 28, 2026
Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul praised Abbas’s impact: “He is so experienced. He’s played a lot of red-ball cricket and is not only leading from the front but is helping the younger bowlers as well.”
The tourists will need to dismiss Joseph and Roach quickly to chase down what could be a testing fourth-innings target on a wearing surface.
For the West Indies, the lower-order partnership represents their last hope of setting a daunting total and salvaging a result from what has been a rollercoaster contest.
