February 4, 2002	Monday	Ziqa’ad 20, 1422

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SHARJAH (UAE), Feb 3: Pakistan, boosted by an explosive four-wicket burst before lunch from skipper Waqar Younis, left West Indies facing a difficult victory target of 342 on the fourth day of the first Test Sunday.

By the close, West Indies had moved to 24 without loss in their second innings, still requiring a further 318 runs to win.

Daren Ganga was unbeaten on 19 and Chris Gayle not out five as the two openers negotiated the day’s final 10 overs with little difficulty.

Earlier, Pakistan had declared their second innings closed at 214 for six, Inzamam-ul-Haq top-scoring with 48 and Rashid Latif hitting a brisk 47 not out to put their side in overall command.

They had been looking for an early declaration but were held back during the afternoon session when the West Indies attack dismissed three batsmen who had been well set.

Test debutant Naved Latif, removed for a duck in the first innings, again failed to make an impression and was caught behind for 20 off the pace bowling of Mervyn Dillon in the 13th over.

Fellow opener Taufiq Umer ran himself out for 23 after a mix-up with Younis Khan to leave Pakistan on 54 for two.

Younis threatened to play a key innings for his side, hitting three fours and a six for 32 runs in 61 balls, but then edged behind to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs to give Cameron Cuffy his first wicket.

But the experienced Inzamam chipped in with a 56-ball 48, including five fours, and shared with Rashid in a rapid sixth-wicket stand of 68 before edging Dillon to Carl Hooper in the slips.

Rashid, whose first-innings 150 was his maiden Test century, maintained his impressive form, hitting four boundaries in an unbeaten 47 off 41 balls.

Pakistan’s declaration finally came when Abdur Razzaq, on 29, fell to a fine catch by Ganga off paceman Pedro Collins.

Earlier, West Indies were dismissed for 366 after fast bowler Waqar produced a lethal spell of four wickets for just eight runs in 28 balls.

Waqar, in his 77th Test, finished with figures of four for 93 as West Indies, replying to Pakistan’s imposing 493, were dismissed in 125.3 overs — still 127 behind.

West Indies had begun the day in promising fashion, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ryan Hinds extending their sixth-wicket stand to 121 before Waqar struck for the fist time.

Chanderpaul was clean-bowled by the Pakistan captain for 66, having hit nine fours in 157 balls after just under four hours at the crease.

Waqar then removed Hinds for 62, Ridley Jacobs for six and Cuffy for no score as the West Indies tail slumped.

During the morning session, match referee Mike Denness was taken to hospital for a check-up after complaining of dizziness.

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd took over his match referee duties before lunch but Denness returned in the afternoon.

The first session began with both teams observing a two-minute silence for Pakistan pace bowler Mohammed Zahid, who has returned home following the death of his mother earlier in the day.