Windies sit pretty on Lara’s ton

Brian Lara scored his 30th Test century, his second century in as many Tests this series, as West Indies look to go past Pakistan’s first innings score of 374 all out, on Day 2 of the second and final Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

West Indies reached 275 for four at the close of play, losing Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the skipper, on the final ball; however, Lara is still not out, on 125, an innings which has included 16 fours and two sixes, one of which soared onto the roof of a marquee positioned several yards behind the long-on boundary.

Earlier in the day, Corey Collymore added to his tally of four wickets on the first day, with three more, bundling the tail-enders, as Pakistan’s innings closed at 374. He had figures of 7/78.

Pakistan’s major hope of a 400 plus score, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, was accounted for by new-comer Daren Powell, just one short of his half century, following which Collymore cleaned up the tail, picking up wickets of Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmed and Danish Kaneria.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who retired hurt earlier after being struck on the arm by a rising delivery from Powell, returned at the fall of the ninth wicket, to stay unbeaten on 7.

West Indies got off to a flyer, Chris Gayle being exorbitantly harsh on Naved, who went for 22 runs off his first two overs, before being chucked from the attack, replaced by Razzaq. It worked out for the best for Pakistan, as Gayle fell soon, caught behind for a brisk 33.

The hosts suffered a blow immediately after lunch, as Devon Smith fell to Razzaq for 25, with a delivery that kept low. However, Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan, thence put forth a 146-run partnership, which buoyed their chances of crossing Pakistan’s total.

Sarwan fell ultimately, to Shabbir Ahmed, caught by Kaneria, for 55. Lara continued on though, sharing a 70-run partnership with Chanderpaul, while also reaching his ton, before Chanderpaul fell on the last ball of the day, to Kaneria.

Pakistan (1st innings) 374 all out
Younis Khan 106, Inzamam-ul-Haq 50, Asim Kamal 51, Kamran Akmal 49, DB Powell 2/69, CD Collymore 7/78
West Indies (1st innings) 275 for 4
RR Sarwan 55, BC Lara 125*, Abdul Razzaq 2/46

West Indies trail by 99 runs with six first innings wickets in hand.