Pakistan was 202-3 to build an overall advantage of 251 after
having led by 49 after the first innings at Warner Park.
Taufeeq, dropped on 1, 13 and 94, struck 10 fours off 231 balls
in five hours, 25 minutes. He shared an opening stand of 82 with Mohammad
Hafeez that set the platform for Pakistan domination and then added a further
76 with Azhar Ali.
Hafeez compiled 32 while Azhar notched 53, his second half-century
of the match.
West Indies was ill-disciplined throughout the day and wasted
no fewer than eight opportunities to take wickets.
Taufeeq is confident his knock could help force a series-levelling
victory for Pakistan over the final two days.
“We are in the driving seat right now,” he said. “If we score
over 300, and with two days left in the match, definitely there are a lot of
chances to win this match.” The home team had a bright start to the day as fast
bowling tailenders Kemar Roach (29) and Ravi Rampaul (32 not out) stretched
their overnight ninth-wicket partnership to 60.
They carried the overnight score from 184-8 to 218 before Roach
fell to Hafeez's spinners.
Fellow offspinner Saeed Ajmal quickly added the scalp of last
man Devendra Bishoo to a slip catch to finish with 3-56. Hafeez claimed 3-23
and Abdur Rehman grabbed 2-55.
Pakistan's second innings had a frenetic and fortune-filled
start as Taufeeq and Hafeez rode their luck.
Hafeez, caught behind off a no-ball from Roach without a run
on the board was also dropped by Darren Sammy when 14 off Rampaul.
Taufeeq was dropped twice at slip off Roach, the first a regulation
catch to Darren Bravo at first slip and then at second slip low down by captain
Darren Sammy. But the pair consolidated Pakistan's advantage to go to lunch at
55-0.
Sammy (1-29) finally provided the breakthrough for the hosts
midway through the second session as Hafeez dragged a drive back onto his leg
stump.
But Taufeeq and Azhar continued to add to the lead in an assured
partnership either side of tea.
Ali survived one chance, on 22, edging past a static Marlon
Samuels at slip off legspinner Devendra Bishoo.
Taufeeq also survived a clear run out chance when 42 as the West
Indies began to flag.
West Indies finally held a slips catch to remove Azhar when
Sammy held one off Bishoo (1-69). Azhar struck six fours off 90 balls.
Roach returned and got deserving reward for a fine spell when
he claimed Asad Shafiq (4) to a fine one-handed grab from wicketkeeper Carlton
Baugh to make it 167-3.
But Taufeeq and Misbah added a further 35 before the close.
Taufeeq, eager to reach his fifth test century, was dropped
again late in the day. This time, it was hard to blame Lendl Simmons, who flung
himself full length to his left at mid-off but just couldn't cling on.
The 29-year-old Taufeeq credited a positive attitude with his
success after early problems against the West Indies pacers.
“I was thinking I have to play positive cricket. They bowled
well with the new ball, especially Roach and Rampaul. They bowled good areas,”
he said.
Taufeeq, who hasn't scored a test ton since October 2003 and
was out of the test team between 2006-10, said he always had faith he would get
another chance.
“It was a tough period for me but I never gave up. I was always
focused on my cricket,” he said. “I never gave up.
I was always thinking I have to come back.”
