KARACHI – The West Indies captain Brian Lara was optimistic yesterday of saving the third
and final Test against charging Pakistan.

"Our task is to make our wickets very expensive," Lara said.

The West Indies was hobbling at 39-2 at stumps on the fourth day after Pakistan setup a never-achieved-before target of 444 with Mohammad Yousuf breaking Viv Richards' world record of 1 710 Test runs in a calendar year.

Lara was on 18 while Ramnaresh Sarwan was unbeaten on 11 at stumps.

"We are in a position where we have to show a lot of character, we want to bat out the whole day tomorrow and save the match," Lara said. "We don't have to play extravagantly and bat session
by session."

The West Indies master batsman, playing in his 131st Test match, is already the leading scorer in Test cricket. He needs another 78 runs to complete 12 000 runs.

"Whatever kudos come along so be it, but No.1 aim remains to save the Test," said Lara, who needs one century to equal India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar's (35) world record of most centuries.

The West Indies trails 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the first Test by nine wickets inside four days at Lahore, while the second Test ended in a draw at Multan last week.
(AP)