GEORGETOWN: Pakistan were set 219 to win the first Test against the West Indies on Saturday after a career-best haul by Saeed Ajmal helped them dismiss the hosts for 152 in their second innings just before tea.
Ajmal finished with six for 42 from 23.5 overs to add to his five for 69 in the first innings.
The Pakistani off-spinner exploited a tricky Guyana National Stadium pitch, getting deliveries to bounce awkwardly and turn sharply to restrict the home team who had resumed at their overnight total of 34 for two.
Ajmal struck with the fifth ball of the day, removing night-watchman Kemar Roach, and added the scalps of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Carlton Baugh, Ravi Rampaul and Devendra Bishoo to close to the wicket catches to undermine the West Indies.
The visitors, however, were held up by a defiant, record last-wicket stand of 48 between Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose 36 not out was the Windies' top score, and Bishoo, with 24.
Pakistan failed to find a way through for close to one and three quarter hours as the home pair established a new record for the last wicket in a Test on the ground.
Ajmal finally brought the innings to an end when he had Bishoo caught at slip, edging a delivery that leapt from the pitch.
After lunch, left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman had struck in the second over, trapping Windies captain Darren Sammy lbw for nine before Ajmal collected his landmark 10th wicket of the Test, when Rampaul turned awkward delivery to short leg, and was caught for two, leaving the hosts 104 for nine.
Ajmal gave the Pakistanis a bright start to the day when he trapped Roach lbw for three and the West Indies fast bowler called for an unsuccessful review of New Zealand umpire Tony Hill's decision.
Ajmal was unfortunate that he did not count Lendl Simmons among his scalps, when the Windies opener, on 20, charged down the pitch, slogged at a flighted delivery, and missed.
The ball flew from the batsman's front pad, eluded wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, and raced to the third man boundary for four leg byes.
Next over, Wahab Riaz made sure the lost chance was not too costly when Simmons fended a short delivery, and was caught at silly mid-off for 21.
Ajmal remained a constant threat and had Sarwan caught at forward short leg for 11, fending an awkward delivery.
The visitors were gifted the wicket of Brendan Nash run out for three, looking for a second run, and being sent back by Chanderpaul.
Ajmal then struck in the last 15 minutes before the interval when Baugh was caught at mid-wicket, swinging a shortish delivery low to the fielder.
Pakistan are seeking their maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean.
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