SHARJAH: Kraigg Brathwaite cracked a stubborn hundred to give the West Indies a slim lead over Pakistan on day three of the third and final Test in Sharjah on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old opener was unbeaten on 130 for his fifth Test century as West Indies reached 314-7 at lunch, 33 ahead of Pakistan´s first-innings total of 281 all out.
Brathwaite, batting with resolve, found an able ally in Devendra Bishoo as they combined to add 51 invaluable runs for an unbroken eighth-wicket stand.
Bishoo was 22 not out at the break, having supported his more established partner to leave Pakistan´s spin-cum-pace attack struggling for wickets on a still unresponsive pitch.
Brathwaite has so far struck 11 boundaries during his 288-ball vigil, but he had a lucky escape as wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed failed to hold a sharp, rising edge off Mohammad Nawaz when he was on 121.
In the same over, Bishoo was given out off a sweep shot but he successfully reviewed English umpire Michael Gough´s decision as the ball had hit fielder Azhar Ali´s helmet before he took the catch.
Resuming at 244-6, the West Indies were looking for a good lead to put pressure on Pakistan for the first time in the series as they fight to avoid a 3-0 whitewash.
Brathwaite hit Mohammad Amir for his 11th boundary off the day´s first ball, and then on-drove him towards mid-wicket for two to reach his hundred off 211 balls.
Pakistan took the second new ball with the total on 251 and Amir struck instantly, clean-bowling Holder with a sharp incoming delivery for 16.
Amir has figures of 3-71.
Pakistan lead the three-match series 2-0 after winning the first Test by 56 runs in Dubai and second by 133 runs in Abu Dhabi.