The hard grind at the National Stadium continued on the second day running as West Indies played out Act 2 of the sub plot. The main plot, it is to be reminded, is whether Yousuf will break Richards' world record.

While batting continues to be slow and boring, Tuesday was still fascinating in some ways. The hunter became the hunted once Gayle tennis-shotted Umar Gul to a bumbling Razzaq at mid-on, who held his nerve to clutch at second chance. Thereafter were to come two deliveries, spaced out over two overs, that shook the edifice of the West Indies innings. Both were absolute snorters but had different characteristics. The first left the most sublime stylist in the world in an awkward tangle that a batting bunny would have been ashamed of, while the other gave the batsman a split second to decide if he wanted to save his wicket or his toe. It would be fair to say the decision was made for him by the time his reflexes told him to get the hell out of the way.

Both deliveries brought back memories of the man sitting in the balcony some 100 yards away, who has definitely played a role in Umar Gul and Shahid Nazir developing into potent seam-swing bowlers of great value.

I refer, of course, to the great Waqar Younis. He has kept a low profile ever since he came on board as a bowling coach. You hardly see him in the front row and on the tour of England he mostly kept indoors. He's both a decent and sensible man and knows that there shouldn't be a perception that he is equal to Bob Woolmer, and wants him to enjoy the higher status.

Waqar has pegged away devotedly in the nets with his disciples and I'm quite sure that the shaping up of Umar Gul and Shahid Nazir have a lot to do with Waqar’s knowledge that he has passed on to them. I also know Umar Gul and he is a keen learner and hardworking in practice sessions and has approached the lessons with relish.

On Tuesday, however, Waqar for once seated almost the whole day on the balcony, perhaps as a sign of encouragement for his young devotees. The balls that uprooted the stumps of captain and vice captain of the West Indies must have brought a wry smile on his face, like the artist brimming in the chest at the sight of his student winning a cherished award for his work.

And Waqar was an artist of reverse swing until an elbow injury cruelly stunted his screaming indippers. They were Toe Crushers and he is by far the finest exponent of reverse swing at high speed; Wasim, the brilliant partner at the other end, of course, lacked Waqar’s pace.

What was lacking in pace on Tuesday, however, was the pitch. It was a blast from the past when fast bowlers from Karachi would lose two years and a yard by the time they were finished for the season at the National Stadium.

Like Yousuf on Monday, the plaudits must go to Ganga for carrying his bat for the day. He was defiant and determined and held one end. He played Kaneria cleverly and Gul with intelligence. Like Yousuf he played late and waited for the bounce to commit itself.

The first session on Wednesday will test him, either individually or as the survivor at the other end. Gul will use the morning moisture to the fullest and if the West Indies survive that, Kaneria will turn the screws with a ball roughed up on the shoddy outfield. He has bowled superbly, snaring the vial wicket of Chanderpaul, and has knotted the West Indians securely from his end.

Unless Pakistan completely let go the initiative, the West Indies are likely to concede a first innings lead and will be uncomfortable batting last on this pitch. It is a disappointment for a Test match in the 21 st century. The only thing you can say is that the more you see the pitch's nature, the more you appreciate the innings Yousuf and Farhat played on the first day.

But Pakistan shouldn't feel totally relieved by restricting the West Indies to where they are leading up to the third day. They are as prone to sudden collapse as their opponents, and no matter the awful form Sarwan has been experiencing on this tour, he is a very, very good player of spin. Lara of course is the acclaimed master. Both can come into their elements in the fourth innings. Pakistan should set no lower than a target of 275 on this pitch to feel a measure of safety.