Pakistan pacers keep first West Indies Test evenly poised

Pakistan fought back strongly on day three of the opening Test against West Indies as Shan Masood produced a gritty century before the pace attack ripped through the hosts’ top order, setting up a fascinating finish at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

Despite trailing after the first innings, Pakistan's bowlers ensured the visitors remained firmly in the contest by reducing West Indies to 126 for seven at stumps on Monday.

How did Shan Masood's century keep Pakistan in the contest?

Resuming on 199 for three, Pakistan needed a composed effort from Shan, and he delivered exactly that. Beginning the day unbeaten on 88, the left-hander converted his overnight score into a determined century, reaching his seventh Test hundred with a patient display of technique and discipline.

Shan struck 109 from 184 deliveries, finding the boundary 12 times while anchoring Pakistan's innings. His knock kept Pakistan competitive even as wickets continued to fall around him.

He briefly extended a fourth-wicket partnership with Salman Ali Agha before Shamar Joseph dismissed Salman for 20. Moments later, Justin Greaves ended Shan's resistance when the Pakistan skipper dragged the ball back onto his stumps with an inside edge.

Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse after Shan's departure, slumping from 244 for three to 259 for eight as Justin Greaves ran through the middle and lower order to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests. Khurram Shahzad chipped in with a useful 19, including two fours and a six, but the innings ended on 282, leaving Pakistan 29 runs behind West Indies' first-innings total.

How did Pakistan's fast bowlers turn the match around?

With only a slim deficit to overcome, Pakistan's pace attack wasted no time applying pressure.

Mohammad Abbas produced a superb opening spell that immediately shifted the momentum. He dismissed Brandon King for five before removing first-innings half-centurion Kavem Hodge for a duck just three balls later, leaving West Indies reeling early.

Mohammad Ali then added to the collapse with an excellent return catch to dismiss Amir Jangoo, while Khurram Shahzad cleaned up Shai Hope for 10 to leave the hosts in deep trouble.

West Indies attempted to recover through Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves, whose partnership briefly steadied the innings. However, Aamir Jamal broke the stand by removing Chanderpaul for 35, before Abbas returned to dismiss Greaves for 20. Shahzad then accounted for captain Roston Chase as Pakistan reduced the home side to 93 for seven.

Can West Indies stretch their advantage on day four?

Just when Pakistan appeared ready to wrap up the innings, Shamar Joseph launched a late counterattack.

The all-rounder blasted an unbeaten 22 from only 13 balls, clearing the ropes three times to frustrate Pakistan's bowlers. Alongside veteran Kemar Roach, who remained unbeaten on five, Joseph helped West Indies add valuable late runs without losing another wicket.

By stumps, West Indies had reached 126 for seven, extending their overall lead to 155 runs.

Abbas finished as Pakistan's standout performer with outstanding figures of three for 14 in 13 economical overs, including six maidens. Shahzad claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Ali and Aamir Jamal chipped in with one each, ensuring the opening Test remains evenly balanced heading into the fourth day.