KARACHI, Dec 7: A terrific 298-run opening wicket stand between Aamir Sohail and Ijaz Ahmed put Pakistan on road to their third successive big win against a depleted West Indies side on the second day of the third and final cricket Test at the National Stadium here today.

Pakistan lead West Indies by 111 runs as they dismissed the visitors for 216 in the first innings yesterday. When early stumps were drawn for the day -- seven overs ahead of schedule because of bad light -- the home team was well placed at 327 for the loss of one wicket.

Ahmed was still playing at a superb 127 in 401 minutes. The right-handed batsman faced 254 balls. Saeed Anwar was accompanying Ahmed on 15.

The pair posted Pakistan's best-ever opening wicket partnership. At a total of 250, the pair surpassed the previous best of 249 between Khalid Ibadulla and Abdul Kadir against Australia in the 1964-65 season.

Sohail and Ahmed achieved the unique distinction of becoming the only Pakistani openers to score centuries in the same innings in 243 Tests that Pakistan have featured in so far.

The hapless four-man West Indian pace battery comprising Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop, Franklyn Rose and Mervyn Dillon toiled hard throughout the day as the Pakistani batsmen played some delightful strokes on both sides of a flat pitch.

The only high point for West Indies came midway into the last session when part-time leg-spinner Shivnarine Chanderpaul had Sohail leg before. However, the left-hander's chanceless 160, was studded with 21 cracking boundaries, mostly on the off-side of the wicket.

Scoreboard

West Indies (1st innings) 216

Pakistan: Aamir Sohail lbw b Chanderpaul 160, Ejaz Ahmed not out 127, Saeed Anwar not out 15; Extras: (b3, lb4, nb16, w3) 25; Total (for one wicket in 92 overs) 327

Fall of wicket: 1-298

Bowling: Courtney Walsh 16-2-53-0, Franklyn Rose 12-1-44-0, Mervyn Dillon 16-0-59-0, Ian Bishop 15-0-68-0, Carl Hooper 26-8-62-0, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 7-0-34-1.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.