Taufeeq puts Pakistan in pole position

BASSETERRE, May 23 (AFP): Taufeeq Umar moved to within reach of his fifth Test hundred, and allowed Pakistan to stamp their authority in the second Test against West Indies Sunday. The Pakistani opener hit a chancy, undefeated 97 to anchor the visitors to 202 for three in their second innings - an overall lead of 251 - at the close on the third day at Warner Park. Taufeeq struck 10 boundaries from 231 balls in close to four hours of batting to fortify Pakistan's position, after they dismissed West Indies for 223 before lunch to grab a first innings lead of 49. Left-hander Taufeeq, however, lived a charmed life, surviving three chances before the West Indies appealed for a caught behind off West Indies captain Darren Sammy from the final ball of the day. Taufeeq shared 82 for the first wicket with Mohammad Hafeez to lay the platform, and built on it in a 76-run second wicket stand with Azhar Ali before West Indies claimed two wickets. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq joined Taufeeq, and they batted through a little more than an hour to further frustrate West Indies.