Brathwaite hits fifty after West Indies set 456

ABU DHABI: Opener Kraig Brathwaite defied Pakistan´s bowling with a fighting half century to take West Indies to 86-2 at tea on the fourth day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Brathwaite was 55 not out and with him Marlon Samuels on nine not out as West Indies -- set a mammoth 456 to win or bat out five sessions for a draw -- fought hard on a weary Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.

They still need another 370 more runs with eight wickets in hand to clinch an unlikely win.

Pakistan had declared their innings at 227-2 at lunch, with Asad Shafiq on 58 not out and Younis Khan 29 to give their bowlers enough time to force a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan won the first Test by 56 runs in Dubai, a day-night affair played with the pink ball.

Brathwaite drove paceman Sohail Khan for three to complete his 11th half century but first in this series. He has so far hit five boundaries and a six to anchor the innings after two early wickets.

West Indies´ task of saving the Test was made even more difficult after they lost Leon Johnson (nine) and Darren Bravo (13) with the total on 63.

Johnson tried to sweep a delivery from leg-spinner Yasir Shah only to drag it on to his stumps after hitting the bat and glove.

Bravo, who scored a fighting 116 in Dubai, slashed a drive off fast bowler Rahat Ali straight to point where Mohammad Nawaz held a head high catch.

Pakistan added 113 runs in the first session to set up their declaration.

Shafiq scored his second fifty of the match with three boundaries after Azhar Ali was dismissed for 79.

Resuming at 114-1 Pakistan were unable to score quick runs as West Indian captain Jason Holder kept a tight field, with only five boundaries in the session.

Ali, who scored a career best 302 not out in Dubai, edged Miguel Cummins to slip where Holder took a sharp catch for the fast bowler´s first wicket in the series.

Ali hit five boundaries during his 137-ball stay at the crease.

West Indies bowlers tried valiantly for more wickets but spurned a review when Holder trapped Younis in front of the wicket but television replays showed the ball was missing the stumps.

The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from October 30.