It all began in the second over of the innings when Pedro Collins, drafted in for the injured Cameron Cuffy induced a mis-hit from the dangerous bat of Shahid Afridi (5). Attempting to hoick the ball through the onside Afridi only managed to find the waiting hands of Runako Morton.

Naved Latif (4) was the next to follow, just three balls later. The young batsman, shuffling across his stumps a bit too much was trapped plumb in front by a straight, full delivery from Dillon. The joy on Dillon’s face was there for all to see when the dreaded finger went up, signaling that Pakistan were 10/2.

Before four overs were completed, Pakistan were in deep trouble at 18/3. Younis Khan (6), who did so well in the Test matches, slashed at a wide one from Collins, only edged the ball to Hooper at slip. The West Indian captain pouched the offering with care.

Shoaib Malik, who made a century as a top order batsman just two days ago, was joined by Pakistan’s man for the crisis – Yousuf Youhana. The free stroking Youhana got going right away, driving beautifully through the offside when given a bit of width and pulling well when the ball was short. Just when it looked as if he would take the chasing side out of the woods Youhana chipped one from Dillon straight back to him. Youhana’s 20 (23 balls, 3 fours) only took Pakistan to 51/4.

Abdul Razzaq, of whom much is expected – with the ball and bat, took his time getting his eye in. Realising that Pakistan could ill afford to lose any more wickets, the allrounder put his head down and concentrated on running singles. One such attempt however proved fatal. Tapping towards point, Razzaq set off for a quick single, only to watch birthday boy Ryan Hinds throw the stumps down with a fierce direct hit. The third umpire was called into action and after much signaling of both red and green lights, Razzaq’s 40-ball vigil for 10 runs had come to an end.

In all the disarray and confusion, Malik stood firm, batting as if nothing were wrong at all, reaching an unbeaten 35* (60b 4x4) at the half-way stage of the innings.

Hooper has a habit of stunning critics with performances that smack of elegance and timing of the highest quality. There are days when Hooper is as pretty a batsman as anyone in the world. One such day was the famous one in East London where, in the presence of Chanderpaul Hooper played one of the most dramatic innings in recent West Indies history.

Sharjah, 2002 will soon be spoken of in the same hallowed tones. Bringing up his 7th international limited overs hundred, Hooper saved the day, giving West Indies a chance to return home on a high note. If discipline was the cornerstone of the Pakistani bowling, innovation was Hooper’s forte. Giving himself just a bit of room, Hooper played inside out and over the offside at will. It was as though the bowlers could do nothing, and time stood still as Hooper looked around and timed the ball sweetly to whichever part of the ground he desired. You can be sure people will remember Hooper’s 112 (127 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes) for some time to come.

But then, in all the beauty and poise of Hooper’s batting, one must not underestimate the yeoman service Chanderpaul rendered. With hardly any scores of merit to show for in this series, the left-hander took a bit of time to get his eye in before unleashing an array of strokes that left the Pakistan bowers wondering if they were playing the same West Indies team that they beat so easily by 51 runs the other day. An image remains strongly in mind – Sami to Chanderpaul, short and on the off, the batsman saw it very early indeed, rocked back into position and pulled the ball powerfully into the stands at midwicket. There was a hush in the ground as Sami watched the ball sail away…

But Chanderpaul could not go on forever. Attempting to play one stroke to the onside too many, Chanderpaul (68 runs, 93 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) presented keeper Latif with a catch off Razzaq.

Ridley Jacobs (13 not out) took over from Chanderpaul, just feeding the strike to his senior partner and seeing the West Indies through to the end of their full complement of 50 overs.

Chris Gayle, who has quickly become the darling of West Indian fans in the absence of Brian Lara, played some blistering drives through the offside. As is his wont, the tall opener stood and delivered, knocking four boundaries in his 17-ball essay of 19. Trying to be a bit too cute however, Gayle opened the face of his bat on one and guided it straight to Younis Khan at slip.

From 28/2 there was further trouble for the Windies. Just 10 runs later, newcomer Runako Morton (3) was trapped lbw by skipper Younis. Playing and missing, Morton was rapped a bit high on the pad but adjudged out lbw by the umpire.

Wavell Hinds, who has made pretty 20s and 30s without going on, showed glimpses of an exciting talent, driving back past the bowler with the full face of the bat on more than one occasion. On the day however, Hinds found the searing pace of hat-trick hero Mohammad Sami too hot to handle. Flashing at one outside the off, Hinds (22) presented Younis Khan at slip with his second catch of the day and West Indies had slumped to 61/4 in 13.3 overs.

The Guyana pair of Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were once again left with the task of picking up the pieces. Hooper (34 not out), chipping away as always, led the way, occasionally taking the aerial route and finding the fence. Chanderpaul (21 not out) too found some rare form and began to settle into a good rhythm.

Ryan Hinds, who celebrates his 21st birthday today will hope to end this tour on a high note. Corey Collymore, West Indies’ most economical bowler is ruled out with injury and left arm seamer Pedro Collins comes into the side.

For Pakistan, no changes at all to the side that won day before yesterday. Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq have to warm the bench for a bit longer while centurion Shoaib Malik and hat-trick man Mohammad Sami get another chance to cement their places in the team.

The teams:

West Indies: D Ganga, CH Gayle, *CL Hooper, RS Morton, WW Hinds, S Chanderpaul, RO Hinds, +RD Jacobs, M Dillon, CD Collymore, PT Collins.

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Naved Latif, Abdur Razzaq, +Rashid Latif, *Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami.