West Indies restricts Pakistan's progress to 148-3

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) Shannon Gabriel's twin strike in the first over kept Pakistan's progress restricted to 148-3 at tea on the first day of the third and final test against West Indies on Sunday.

Experienced Younis Khan (51) profited from two West Indies fielding lapses to score a half century and left-handed opening batsman Sami Aslam escaped two close run-out chances to be unbeaten on 72.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who won his third successive toss and opted to bat, survived a contentious lbw appeal off Gabriel on 3 and prodded to 18 off 57 balls at the break.

Earlier, Gabriel provided West Indies with a dream start when he had Azhar Ali caught in the second slip and then successfully went for an lbw television referral against Asad Shafiq in a dramatic four balls of the first over.

Off-spinner Roston Chase twice came close to dismissing Younis on 30 in the space of three balls before lunch but first Leon Johnson dropped him at mid-wicket and then wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich missed a leg side stumping.

Younis revived Pakistan's innings by contributing 106 runs with Aslam for the third-wicket stand before he top edged a sweep off Chase as Pakistan lost only one wicket in the session.