Pakistan trail by 78 as Shafique, Babar dominate in second Test

Pakistan remained firm in the second Test against the West Indies as Abdullah Shafique struck an unbeaten century and captain Babar Azam produced a composed 86 not out to steer the visitors to 266/2 at stumps on Day Two, trailing the hosts by just 78 runs at Queen's Park Oval on Monday.

On Day Two, Pakistan were 266/2 in 66 overs, with Abdullah and Babar unbeaten after sharing a dominant third-wicket partnership.

Playing his first Test since October 2025, Abdullah remained unbeaten on 107 from 185 balls, striking 10 fours and two sixes. Babar, meanwhile, was closing in on his maiden Test century against the West Indies, ending the day unbeaten on 86 from 126 deliveries, including 10 fours and a six.

Resuming their first innings at 139/2 in reply to the West Indies' 344, the pair dominated the home attack throughout the final session, extending their unbroken third-wicket stand to 168.

Pakistan made a brisk start before losing experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq in the eighth over with 34 runs on the board. He scored 14 from 17 deliveries, including two fours.

Abdullah then joined emerging opener Azan Awais, and the pair added 64 runs for the second wicket from just 80 deliveries to steady the innings.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican provided the breakthrough for the West Indies in the 21st over when he trapped Awais lbw for 55 off 71 balls, an innings featuring 10 boundaries.

Babar came to the crease at No. 4 and maintained the momentum alongside Abdullah. The pair were unbeaten at the interval before taking complete control in the final session.

Earlier in the day, the West Indies resumed on 239/5 through overnight batters Justin Greaves and captain Roston Chase. They added 105 runs for the remaining five wickets before being bowled out for 344 in 105.4 overs.

Greaves and Chase, who had shared an unbroken 66-run fifth-wicket partnership on the opening day, added a further 30 runs before Ali Usman ended the stand in the ninth over of the morning.

Greaves top-scored with 73 from 150 deliveries, hitting nine fours.

Chase then shared a 35-run sixth-wicket partnership with Kemar Roach before Ubaid Shah bowled him in the 95th over. The West Indies captain made 70 from 126 balls, striking 11 fours.

Roach contributed 19 before he and Shamar Joseph (eight) fell in quick succession to Sajid Khan, reducing the hosts to 326/9.

Jayden Seales (eight) and Warrican (five not out) frustrated Pakistan with an 18-run last-wicket stand before Sajid dismissed Seales in the 105th over.

Sajid was Pakistan's most successful bowler with figures of 4/85 from 32.4 overs, while Mohammad Ali, Ali Usman and Ubaid Shah claimed two wickets apiece.