The third Test has turned into a dream game which in the context of the run of play we could say is too good to be true.

From day one, it has been very absorbing with the balance most of the time tilting in favour of the West Indies. At the end of day four it still remains within their grasp, barring any hiccups of course, as they chase an easy target of 153 for victory and are just 39 short of reaching it.

With Kraigg Brathwaite, who played a sheet anchor’s role carrying his bat through in the first knock, still batting in the same vein in the second innings, a victory for the West Indies appears very likely.

But cricket is a game which has a history that is replete with hundreds of such situations where within a space of few deliveries or overs the matches turn on their head.

Pakistan’s complacent display with the bat in both their innings and their inept approach in rotating strikes to steady their radar less innings has now brought the West Indians to a point from where they should not falter.Pakistani fielders spilled two crucial chances on Mohammad Amir’s bowling in the slips off Johnson’s bat which surely was a sorry sight and heart-breaking for the bowler.

But the brief disappointment of Misbah-ul-Haq’s men then suddenly started to turn into joy as wickets tumbled including that of Darren Bravo when Yasir Shah induced him and Johnson into committing false strokes.

If not for the defiance that Brathwaite showed, as he did in the first innings, things would have been gloomier for the West Indies as Yasir, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz and Amir continued to fire at the stumps.

In keeping with the spirit that the visitors have shown despite losing the series already, and all of the matches barring this, their victory in this Test no doubt will serve as a parting gift from Pakistan who have not been at their best in this Test.

It will be miraculous if Pakistan turns around this game in their favour today but the determined Brathwaite has his own designs his presence at the wicket will have a certain bearing at the outcome.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2016