Abdullah Shafique's Century, Babar Azam's Unbeaten 86 Put Pakistan in Command Against West Indies

Pakistan produced their strongest batting display of the Test series as Abdullah Shafique's unbeaten century and Babar Azam's composed 86 not out guided the visitors to a dominant position on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies in Port of Spain.

At stumps, Pakistan were 266/2, trailing West Indies' first-innings total of 344 by just 78 runs. The pair shared an unbroken 168-run partnership for the third wicket, frustrating the hosts and putting Pakistan firmly in control of the contest.

Shafique ended a long wait for a Test hundred, bringing up his sixth century and his first since 2024. The opener reached the milestone in dramatic fashion, smashing a short delivery through midwicket after being stranded on 99 before celebrating with visible relief. At the other end, Babar remained unbeaten on 86, moving within 14 runs of what would be his first Test century in four years.

The duo weathered the early challenges before steadily taking control of the innings. Shafique looked confident against both pace and spin, playing elegant drives and attacking loose deliveries, while Babar produced one of his most fluent Test knocks in recent years. He countered the West Indies pace attack with positive stroke play and rotated the strike effectively, ensuring Pakistan did not lose another wicket in the final session.

Earlier in the day, West Indies extended their overnight total to 344 thanks to valuable half-centuries from Justin Greaves and captain Roston Chase. The pair helped add 105 runs before Pakistan's bowlers wrapped up the innings.

Left-arm spinner Ali Usman made an immediate impact by dismissing Greaves with his very first delivery of the day, while Ubaid Shah removed Chase with a well-directed cross-seam delivery. Sajid Khan then cleaned up Shamar Joseph as Pakistan quickly claimed the remaining wickets.

Pakistan began their reply with aggressive intent despite the absence of captain Shan Masood. Debutant Azan Awais attacked the West Indies seamers from the outset, striking several boundaries to put the hosts under pressure. However, Shamar Joseph provided the breakthrough when Imam-ul-Haq edged to gully after being cramped by a sharp rising delivery.

Awais continued his positive approach, taking on both the fast bowlers and spinner Jomel Warrican before falling for a well-made half-century after an unsuccessful sweep shot resulted in an lbw dismissal following a review.

That wicket only brought together Shafique and Babar, who combined to produce Pakistan's finest batting session of the series. Their partnership blunted the West Indies attack, punished loose bowling and steadily shifted the momentum in Pakistan's favour.

With only 78 runs separating Pakistan from a first-innings lead and both set batters still at the crease, the visitors head into Day 3 in a commanding position, while West Indies will be hoping for early wickets and increased assistance from the deteriorating surface to force their way back into the match.