TRINIDAD: Pakistan’s batters produced their strongest display of the Test series as Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten century and Babar Azam’s assured knock guided the visitors to 266-2 at stumps on the second day of the second Test against West Indies, leaving them 78 runs behind the hosts’ first-innings total of 344.
Shafique finished the day unbeaten on 100, bringing up his sixth Test century and first since 2024, while Babar was unbeaten on 86, closing in on his first Test hundred in four years. Their unbroken third-wicket partnership of 168 revived Pakistan after the early loss of Imam-ul-Haq.
West Indies had earlier resumed on their overnight score and added 105 runs before being bowled out for 344, with Justin Greaves and captain Roston Chase extending their resistance through half-centuries.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman struck with the first ball of the morning to remove Greaves, while Ubaid Shah dismissed Chase with a cross-seam delivery that clipped the top of middle stump. Sajid Khan wrapped up the innings by bowling Shamar Joseph.
Pakistan responded positively despite losing Imam early to Shamar Joseph. Azan Awais counterattacked with a fluent 54 before falling lbw to Jomel Warrican after a successful review. Shafique and Babar then took control, combining patience with aggressive strokeplay to blunt the West Indies attack. Shafique handled the spinners confidently and reached his century with a boundary through midwicket in the closing stages, while Babar looked increasingly composed, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries.
The pair ensured Pakistan ended the day firmly in contention, with the visitors well placed to overhaul West Indies’ first-innings total on day three.
