Sammy stars as Windies break duck

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Leap of faith: Darren Sammy wins an lbw verdict against Mohammad Salman as West Indies close in on a first Test win since 2009

Darren Sammy ripped through Pakistan’s middle and lower order as West Indies swept to a thrilling 40-run win in Guyana, their first in Tests for more than two years.

Resuming on 80 for three in pursuit of 219 for victory in the opening Test of the two-match series, Pakistan could be considered marginal favourites to triumph at the Providence Stadium.

But Sammy returned sensational figures of 5-29 from 17 overs as the visitors, having apparently overcome the early loss of Asad Shafiq early on the fourth morning, collapsed from 135 for four to 178 all out before tea.

Victory was not only West Indies’ first in 18 attempts - a sequence stretching back to February 2009, when they beat England - but came without the input of Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, both of whom are on Indian Premier League duty.

If Shafiq’s departure - bowled by Ravi Rampaul in the third over of the day - served as an early setback for Pakistan, Sammy dealt arguably the crucial blow by removing Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Salman in the space of three deliveries.

Misbah converted his overnight 34 into a patient 52 before he was lbw to one that nipped back, and Salman was trapped in front on the back foot.

Pakistan’s hopes remained alive while Umar Akmal was at the crease, but he was among the last four wickets to fall for 18 runs as Pakistan’s tail subsided.

Abdur Rehman edged Rampaul, who finished with 4-48, low to second slip, before Sammy struck three times in as many overs.

Again, his accuracy paid dividends as he won lbw verdicts against Umar Gul and Akmal, then cleaned up Saeed Ajmal to bring West Indies’ barren run to a joyous end.