Greaves makes history, but Windies batting woes leave Test in the balance

Justin Greaves produced a spell for the record books, but another alarming batting collapse left the West Indies clinging to a fragile advantage after a dramatic third day of the historic first Test against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

The home side appeared poised to seize complete control after Greaves inspired a stunning Pakistan collapse with his maiden five-wicket haul. Instead, familiar batting frailties resurfaced as the West Indies slumped to 126 for seven by stumps, carrying a lead of just 155 runs into Tuesday's fourth day.

What began as a day of Caribbean dominance ended with Pakistan firmly back in contention.

Greaves rewrites the record book

Pakistan resumed on 199 for three in a commanding position, with captain Shan Masood unbeaten on 88 alongside Salman Agha.

The pair added another 47 runs to strengthen the visitors' grip on the match, and Masood etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player to score a Test century at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. His seventh Test hundred came from 163 deliveries, reached with a single through the covers off Shamar Joseph.

That milestone, however, proved to be the turning point rather than the launchpad Pakistan expected.

Joseph ignited the comeback by crashing into Agha's off stump, and Greaves immediately took over.

The medium pacer removed Masood for a composed 109 from 184 balls after the Pakistani skipper chopped the ball back onto his stumps, triggering a remarkable collapse.

Greaves then tore through the lower order, dismissing Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Mohammad Rizwan, and Mohammad Abbas in successive wicket-maiden overs as Pakistan crashed from 244 for three to 282 all out.

His remarkable burst made Test history, as Greaves became the first bowler ever to deliver five consecutive wicket maidens in a Test match.

He finished with exceptional figures of 5-27 from 11 overs, while Kemar Roach claimed 2-53 and Shamar Joseph added 2-58 to help dismiss Pakistan for a first-innings lead of just 29 runs.

West Indies squanders the advantage

The momentum generated by the bowling attack quickly evaporated once the West Indies began their second innings.

Pakistan's disciplined pace attack exposed the hosts' fragile batting lineup almost immediately.

Brandon King survived an early scare when an edge off Khurram Shahzad flew safely between fielders for four, but the reprieve was brief. Mohammad Abbas induced another edge in the following over, with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan completing a sharp low catch.

Three deliveries later, Abbas struck again, removing Kavem Hodge without scoring to reduce the West Indies to 7 for 2.

Mohammad Ali then added to the collapse with a superb reflex return catch to dismiss Amir Jangoo for four, sending the home side into the tea interval reeling at 30 for three.

Pakistan tightens its grip

Pakistan wasted little time extending its advantage after the break.

Shahzad bowled Shai Hope for 10 when the West Indies batter completely missed an ambitious attempt to clear the infield, leaving the hosts in even deeper trouble at 43 for four.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Greaves briefly steadied the innings with a 37-run partnership that hinted at a recovery.

Chanderpaul looked increasingly settled before gifting away his wicket, attempting to pull a short delivery outside off stump and finding the fielder at square leg after scoring 35.

Greaves, fresh from his career-defining bowling performance, then contributed a determined 20 before producing a drive that was brilliantly intercepted by a diving Babar Azam at cover.

Shahzad followed up by dismissing captain Roston Chase for eight, caught behind, reducing the West Indies to a precarious 93 for seven.

Joseph provides late resistance

Just as he had in the first innings, Shamar Joseph refused to let Pakistan close the day on complete terms.

The fast bowler counterattacked with an unbeaten 22 from only 13 deliveries, striking three towering sixes to frustrate the visitors.

Alongside the experienced Roach, Joseph added an unbroken 33-run partnership for the eighth wicket, lifting the West Indies beyond the 150-run lead and ensuring the hosts would begin the fourth day with something tangible to defend.

Pakistan's bowlers remained relentless throughout the innings, with Abbas leading the charge with 3-14, while Shahzad supported effectively with 2-36.

Fourth day poised for defining battle

The opening Test now hangs delicately in the balance.

The West Indies will hope Joseph and Roach can squeeze out additional runs before asking their bowlers to defend what is still a modest target.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will view the morning session as an opportunity to finish off the innings quickly and leave itself with a manageable chase.

For the West Indies, the contrast between Greaves' historic brilliance and another costly batting collapse serves as the defining story of a day that promised so much but ultimately left the hosts facing another uphill battle.