ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – A moment of stark madness from tail-ender Shannon Gabriel ended West Indies’ stubborn resistance and laid waste to more than half a century of history, as Pakistan pulled off a nerve-jangling 101-run victory in the decisive third Test to clinch an historic first series win on Caribbean soil here Sunday.
Courtesy of a magnificent unbeaten 101 from the immovable Man-of-the-Match Roston Chase, West Indies defied a ruthless but tiring Pakistan bowling attack for nearly 90 overs and appeared on the brink of a brilliant rescue effort, with seven balls left in the day at Windsor Park.
But Gabriel, who had defended purposely for just over half-hour, suffered a rush of blood and essayed a wild slog at the 22nd delivery he faced – the last of the day’s penultimate over – and was bowled by champion leg-spinner Yasir Shah for four as the Windies were dismissed for 202.
The result gave Pakistan a 2-1 win in the three-Test victory following a seven-wicket victory in the opening Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica last month, and a 106-run defeat in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados earlier this month.
For the retiring veterans, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the success also provided a memorable farewell with Pakistan winning their first series since they first toured the Caribbean 59 years ago.
Summarized scores: Pakistan 376 (Azhar 127, Misbah 59, Chase 4-103) and 174 for 8 dec (Yasir 38*, Younis 35, Joseph 3-53) beat West Indies 247 (Chase 69, Abbas 5-46, Yasir 3-126) and 202 (Chase 101*, Yasir 5-92, Hasan 3-33) by 101 runs