Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 160 and Sajid Khan’s four-wicket haul put Pakistan in control against West Indies on Day Three of the second Test.
Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 160 and Sajid Khan’s four-wicket haul put Pakistan in a commanding position against West Indies at the end of a dramatic third day of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval.
West Indies closed the day on 103 for six in their second innings, holding a lead of only 60 runs with four wickets remaining.
Pakistan had earlier been dismissed for 387, securing a first-innings advantage of 43 runs after West Indies posted 344.
Abdullah Shafique carries Pakistan to first-innings lead
Resuming on 266 for two, Pakistan appeared well placed to build a substantial lead, with Shafique and captain Babar Azam continuing their strong third-wicket partnership.
Babar, however, was denied a long-awaited Test century when he was run out for 88 following a direct hit from Brandon King.
The dismissal ended a 183-run partnership between Babar and Shafique and triggered a sudden Pakistan collapse. Awais Zafar was bowled for one, while Salman Ali Agha was dismissed without scoring as Pakistan lost three wickets for five runs.
Mohammad Rizwan attempted to steady the innings with a quick 18 but was bowled by Jomel Warrican, leaving Pakistan at 311 for six.
Shafique remained composed amid the wickets and found useful support from Sajid Khan. The pair added 59 runs for the seventh wicket, taking Pakistan past West Indies’ first-innings total.
Sajid contributed 30 before being dismissed by Jayden Seales, while Shafique went on to complete an unbeaten 160, striking 15 fours and three sixes.
Jomel Warrican limits Pakistan’s advantage
Pakistan looked capable of building a much larger lead, but Warrican produced an impressive spell to keep West Indies in the contest.
The left-arm spinner claimed three wickets in four deliveries as Pakistan lost their final four wickets for just 17 runs.
Warrican finished with figures of six for 112, helping West Indies restrict Pakistan’s first-innings lead to 43 runs.
Shafique was left stranded at the other end after delivering one of the most important innings of the match.
Sajid Khan sparks West Indies collapse
West Indies began their second innings positively, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge putting together an opening partnership of 40 runs.
Hodge was promoted to open after Brandon King suffered a lower-back injury while completing the direct hit that dismissed Babar. King did not take the field again and was unable to open the West Indies innings.
Pakistan turned to spin after the West Indies openers made a steady start, and the decision produced an immediate result.
Sajid trapped Chanderpaul lbw for 17 in his first over before bowling Amir Jangoo for 13. Ali Usman then removed Hodge for 34 following a successful review.
Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase attempted to rebuild the innings, but Pakistan’s spinners maintained the pressure on a surface offering considerable turn.
Sajid dismissed Hope for 15 and trapped nightwatchman Jayden Seales lbw for a duck. Chase then fell to Ali Usman from the final delivery of the day, giving the bowler a simple return catch.
West Indies lost three wickets for four runs late in the final session, slipping from 99 for three to 103 for six.
Sajid ended the day with four wickets for 32 runs, while Ali Usman claimed two for 29.
Pakistan eye series-levelling victory
Pakistan will enter Day Four as favourites to win the match, although they must quickly dismiss the remaining West Indies batters and complete what could still be a challenging fourth-innings chase.
Justin Greaves will resume unbeaten on one and will once again be expected to lead the West Indies resistance.
The hosts currently lead the two-match Test series 1-0 after securing a 90-run victory in the opening Test.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will be looking to complete their first Test victory away from home since 2023 and level the series at 1-1.
Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test: Day Three score
West Indies first innings: 344 all out
Pakistan first innings: 387 all out
Abdullah Shafique: 160 not out
Babar Azam: 88
Jomel Warrican: Six wickets for 112 runs
West Indies second innings: 103 for six
Sajid Khan: Four wickets for 32 runs
Ali Usman: Two wickets for 29 runs
West Indies lead by 60 runs with four wickets remaining.
