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In Sharjah this week, Kraigg Brathwaites slender shoulders grew as broad as Samsons of biblical fame. Refusing to be moved, he knocked down for the belaboured West Indies a wall that has stood for some 26 years, helping deliver a five-wicket win over Pakistan, their first against that opponent away from home since 1990.Test cricket was still being played in Pakistan when a team led by Desmond Haynes won in Faisalabad by seven wickets. It is a sporting irony that arguably the weakest West Indies side to face Pakistan on foreign soil should be able to match what a team stacked with legends did.Brathwaites work in Sharjah could come to define his career. Bettering his most resolute self, his ten and a half hours at the crease in the third Test for 142 and 60, both not out, ensured that his bowlers work in this series finally paid off.The problem of bowling teams out with regularity had reached crisis proportions over the last 12 months for West Indies, especially in the series away to Australia and at home to India. When it was announced they were going to a region traditionally unkind to seamers, it did not inspire confidence that such impotence would be overcome. But in the UAE, West Indies eventually achieved success on the back of their bowling. Big contributions from different members of the attack kept them in all three Tests, and almost set up a win in the first, in Dubai.In that first game, Devendra Bishoos 8 for 49 was also career-defining, and it turned a Pakistan walkover into a compelling match that Darren Bravos sheet-anchor 116 threatened to convert into a storied West Indies win. Perhaps the aggressive, slightly complacent Pakistan batsmen played a part in the turnaround, but that second-innings Bishoo effort changed the series for West Indies. Bravo built on the momentum his team-mate had started. And while he could not take his heroics all the way, the visitors went to the second Test with greater self-belief.While Bishoo deferred to Shannon Gabriel in Abu Dhabi, where the big fast bowler got his first five-wicket haul in all first-class cricket, the leggie had a platform on which to build. Injury and lack of faith by the selectors have stymied his progress since his debut against Pakistan five years ago. Bishoos seven wickets in the final Test ought to buy him time so he can truly settle down.His effort, and captain Jason Holders second-innings five-for in Sharjah, ensured that the targets in front of the sides unsteady batting line-up were not too challenging. And it was the ability of the bowlers to progressively get at the Pakistan batting that will encourage Holder and the selection panel. The more sustained threat of Gabriel as a result of an improved fitness regime and greater balance on delivery is bringing him better results.The decline of the injury-plagued Kemar Roach and the retirement from Tests of Jerome Taylor have left the already depleted West Indies fast bowling stocks in a critical state. They desperately need Gabriel to stay fit, and to find a reliable new-ball partner for him. Teenager Alzarri Joseph, the Under-19 hero, was given his second game in the third Test. He will have to be carefully managed, but sooner rather than later must be given the chance to establish himself alongside Gabriel.Bravos excellent first-Test effort of 87 and 116 demonstrated the kind of leadership in batting that West Indies require of him. But, not for the first time, he was unable to keep to those high standards in the other two Tests.While Bravo did at least distinguish himself, the same could not be said for team veteran Marlon Samuels, who averaged just 23.83 in the series, and did not shoulder the burden a player of his experience and expertise should. That meant the pressure was all on Bravo at No. 3 and Brathwaite at the top of the order. Brathwaite has also not been helped by the lack of a steady, productive opening partner.Those are significant problems for a side woefully short of Test match experience. From captain to wicketkeeper, West Indies are a team of on-the-job trainees. As such, they are getting their share of hard knocks.People forget this is a very, very young side. When you look at the number of players under 25, it is unbelievable that a side in Test cricket could be so young, bowling coach Roddy Estwick reminded the world. But its a good thing, and once the people of the Caribbean and the selectors remain patient, I think weve got the making of a pretty decent side in 12 to 18 months.Estwick was speaking in the absence of a head coach. Phil Simmons, if anyone needs reminding, was removed just before West Indies left for the UAE for their series. Turmoil and inevitable negative fallout followed, so that the Test side entered their final match searching for the teams only win all tour. That they managed to secure it was to their great credit. The last time West Indies had beaten a side above them in the rankings away from home was back in 2007, when South Africa were surprised in Port Elizabeth, where Samuels engineered a 128-run victory.But just as West Indies transformation in the Pakistan Tests could not have been predicted, so also is the future progress of this team unpredictable. Consistent selectors and broad-minded administrators in West Indies cricket are just hard to find. Custom Marlins T-shirts . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Custom Marlins Jerseys .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. http://www.custommarlinsjersey.com/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Custom Andre Dawson Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Andre Dawson Jersey Large .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. NEW YORK -- Slumping Alex Rodriguez was back on the New York Yankees bench Thursday night despite whopping career numbers against Mets starter Bartolo Colon, a move that startled the 43-year-old pitcher.I was surprised. We all know hes hit well against me, Colon said through a translator. I say, `Thats my dad.Colon took a shutout into the seventh inning as the Mets won 4-1 at Yankee Stadium.Its not certain when Rodriguez will play again after he sat out the wrapup of the Subway Series. A-Rod is in a 2-for-28 rut, is hitting .204 overall and has started once since July 22. He is stuck at 696 career home runs.I cant really tell you whenn Im going to play him, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before the game.ddddddddddddRodriguez is 23 for 56 (.411) with eight home runs and 20 RBI lifetime against Colon -- the most homers the right-hander has allowed to any hitter.Those are numbers from years and years ago, Girardi said, pointing out they havent faced each other since 2012.Newly promoted Gary Sanchez started at DH and got two hits. A day earlier, Sanchez had his first big league hit.We called Sanchez up and hes going to play, Girardi said. ' ' '