Karachi, November 29:

Mohammad Hafeez’s painstaking half-century helped Pakistan tighten their grip on the third Test and the three-match series against the West Indies on Wednesday. Pakistan built up a 174-run lead with eight wickets in hand at stumps on the third day, with Hafeez on 57 not out and Mohammad Yousuf unbeaten on one. Pakistan reached 130-2 when bad light stopped the play early.

The tourists fought to score 260 in their first innings, conceding a 44-run lead. Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after their nine-wicket win in the first Test. The second Test ended in a draw at Multan. Earlier, Ramdin hit a gritty 50 to keep alive his team’s chances of levelling the series. He added 44 runs for the last wicket with Corey Collymore (eight not out) to help West Indies recover from 216-9 to 260 all out.