West Indies vs Pakistan 2017, 2nd Test: Day 4, 5 talking points

A see-sawing day witnessed West Indies take control of the game for the majority of the day but a slew of wickets late in the day undid all the hard work. That said West Indies ascended to a lead of 183 by stumps on day 4 at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, a sizeable one on a crumbling wicket.

Shai Hope was the architect of West Indies' fightback as he compiled a maiden half-century after 16 innings in the top order. His 90 and half-century stands with Kraigg Brathwaite and Vishaul Singh proved decisive for the Windies. However, Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah dismissed them in the final hour to finish with a six-wicket haul.

Earlier, Mohammad Abbas dismissed Shimron Hetmyer pretty early on day 4. But Hope and Brathwaite kept Windies going. It took a magic ball and an equally miraculous catch from Younis to send back the dogged Brathwaite. Hope continued to resist the bowlers till the final hour chaos.

Brief Scores: West Indies 312/10 and 264/9 (Hope 90, Brathwaite 43, Yasir Shah 6/90). Pakistan 393/10.

Here are the talking points from day 4 of the second Test.

#5 Brathwaite getting back to his old self

Kraigg Brathwaite has been the anchor of most of West Indies' Test innings in the last two years. The unfashionable opening batsman knows to play a dour game that is quite effective for a team which has the tendency to implode. Brathwaite was once again at it in Bridgetown.

Having resumed on 8 off 46 balls, Brathwaite continued to bore the bowlers with strong judgement outside his off-stump and a sound defence. When Hope joined him, Brathwaite played more positively and the partnership had Pakistan scratching their heads.

Yasir Shah was the man to eventually break the stand with a ripping leg-break that Brathwaite edged to Younis Khan at slip. However, the Brathwaite of old was visible in that 43 and that will relieve the Windies.

#4 Shai Hope eventually justifies his place

Hope played some exquisite shots along with sound defensive ones to compile a maiden half-century

Having played 16 innings for the Windies in Tests, Hope's highest score was 41. He had made fewer runs and half-centuries than Jason Holder in those 16 innings. But in cricket, the past barely matters and Hope proved it yet again with a superb show of resistance.

He defended anything and everything thrown at him and compiled a slow but steady half-century.

Vishaul Singh played his first decisive knock since his debut to aid Hope as the duo shared an 80-run partnership that took West Indies from 155/4 to 235. Hope had, meanwhile, come close to a hundred by milking the bowlers for runs.

He had nine fours and a six to his name and was on 90 when he threw away a chance to get a hundred by driving Yasir straight to the cover fielder.

#3 Yasir Shah stuns the Windies

Yasir Shah claimed six wickets to trigger a collapse

Just when it seemed like West Indies would run away with a huge lead, Yasir spun his web around the batsmen. He had already shown impeccable control right through the morning session and had Brathwaite and Chase back in the hut.

But the dismissal of Hope was more important in the context of the game. He went on to dismiss Shane Dowrich, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph to complete yet another six-wicket haul in Test cricket.

The leg-spinner was an ever-looming threat in these conditions and came to the fore to pull Pakistan back into the game.

#2 West Indies' familiar collapse story continues

Vishaul Singh threw away his wicket soon after Hope was dismissed

The problem with West Indies in Test cricket of late has always been an unavoidable collapse at some stage of their innings. If it was the top order in Kingston, it has been the lower middle-order in both innings here.

In the first innings, Windies collapsed from 286/6 to 312 all out after losing both their set batsmen in quick succession.

It was quite similar on day 4 as the hosts lost Shai Hope and Vishaul Singh, both set batsmen in successive overs. They went on to lose 3 wickets for just one run as they collapsed to 264/9.

#1 Who holds the aces on day 5?

Much will hinge on how Pakistan's top order tackle the West Indian bowlers on a fifth day wicket

With such a mixed day, it is difficult to say which team goes into day 5 more confident of winning the game. A draw looks a bleak possibility at the moment and if momentum is a vital factor, Pakistan carry plenty of that heading into day 5 courtesy of the final hour of play on day 4.

But the hosts have an 183 run lead on a slow and tricky wicket. They have bowled quite well in the series and there is no reason why they cannot do the same on a final day wicket.

While Bishoo and Chase have been modest as spinners, a fifth day wicket could bring out the best in them. Gabriel's skiddy pace and Holder's awkward bounce is also a factor. All in all, a gripping day awaits fans in Bridgetown.