Pakistan needed a response, and they got one. Two days after a batting collapse cost them the series opener, Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam batted through Day 2 in Trinidad to drag the tourists right back into contention.
Shafique, parachuted into the XI as an emergency replacement, made the most of his chance with an unbeaten century. Babar wasn’t far behind him. By the close, Pakistan trailed by just 78 runs with eight first-innings wickets still standing — a complete turnaround from where this series stood 48 hours earlier.
Match Overview
- Venue: Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad
- Toss: West Indies won and chose to bat first
- Series: 2nd Test, Pakistan’s tour of West Indies
- Day 2 close: West Indies 344 all out (105.4 overs); Pakistan 266/2 (66 overs)
- Series context: West Indies lead 1-0 after winning the first Test by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Stadium, where Pakistan were bowled out for 120 in their second innings
Pakistan came into this Test needing to bounce back fast, and the conditions at Queen’s Park Oval — a pitch offering turn along with some early pace and swing — gave both sides plenty to work with over the two days.
Key Highlights
- Abdullah Shafique struck an unbeaten 107 off 185 balls, his sixth Test century, on his recall to the side
- Babar Azam remained not out on 86, following up his fighting 58 in the first Test
- Shafique and Babar added an unbroken 168 for the third wicket
- Pakistan closed Day 2 at 266/2, trailing West Indies by only 78 runs
- Sajid Khan was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with 4/85, taking the last three West Indies wickets
- West Indies added 109 runs in the morning session before folding for 344
- Justin Greaves (73) and Roston Chase (70) put on 96 for the sixth wicket before both fell
- West Indies were without an injured Justin Greaves in the field for large parts of the day, while captain Roston Chase bowled little because of a finger injury
Match Analysis
The turning point: West Indies looked to be building a match-winning total when Greaves and Chase were going along nicely in their sixth-wicket stand. The introduction of the second new ball — handed, unusually, to spinner Ali Usman — broke that partnership and triggered a collapse of sorts, with West Indies losing their last five wickets for 75 runs.
Batting analysis: Shafique’s innings was the story of the day. Playing at number three for the first time since he lost his place after the home series against South Africa last October, he mixed patience with intent, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Babar played the anchor role beautifully alongside him, farming the strike and ensuring Shafique stayed settled at the other end.
Bowling analysis: Sajid Khan did the bulk of the damage for Pakistan, finishing with 4/85 and wrapping up the tail. Ubaid Shah also chipped in, bowling Chase for 70, while the second new ball proved the key weapon in breaking West Indies’ momentum.
Key partnerships: Pakistan’s innings was built on two stands — a 64-run opening stand for Shafique with Azan Awais (who made 55 off 71 balls before being given out lbw on review to Jomel Warrican), followed by the unbroken 168-run third-wicket stand between Shafique and Babar that took the game away from West Indies by stumps.
Momentum shift: Pakistan walked out to bat under pressure after Imam-ul-Haq fell early to Shamar Joseph. From 34/1, the innings could easily have unraveled given the scars of the first Test. Instead, Shafique and Awais steadied things, and Shafique and Babar then took total control.
Top Performers
- Best Batter: Abdullah Shafique — unbeaten 107 off 185 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes)
- Best Bowler: Sajid Khan — 4/85, including the final three West Indies wickets
- Match-changing Moment: The second new ball, given to spinner Ali Usman, breaking the Greaves-Chase stand and triggering West Indies’ late-innings slide
- Key Partnership: Shafique and Babar Azam’s unbroken 168-run stand for the third wicket
Important Statistics
| Category | Details |
| West Indies 1st Innings | 344 all out (105.4 overs) |
| Pakistan 1st Innings | 266/2 (66 overs) |
| Top Scorer (WI) | Justin Greaves – 73 |
| Top Scorer (PAK) | Abdullah Shafique – 107* |
| Best Bowling (PAK) | Sajid Khan – 4/85 |
| Key Partnership | Shafique & Babar Azam – 168* (3rd wicket, unbroken) |
| Current Lead | Pakistan trail by 78 runs |
| Series Score | West Indies lead 1-0 |
What This Means
This Test is now finely poised. A first-innings lead for Pakistan on Day 3 would completely shift the pressure back onto West Indies, who came into this game 1-0 up and looking to seal the series.
For Pakistan, it’s as much about confidence as it is about the scoreboard. After being bowled out for 120 in the series opener, a big first-innings total here would go a long way toward steadying a batting unit that has faced heavy criticism, particularly around Babar Azam’s captaincy and form.
West Indies, meanwhile, will be hoping Justin Greaves’ fitness improves and that Roston Chase’s finger injury doesn’t keep restricting his bowling — both are central to their plans of wrapping this series up in Trinidad.
What’s Next?
All eyes turn to Day 3, where Shafique and Babar will resume looking to extend their stand and push for a substantial first-innings lead. How West Indies respond with the ball — and whether Chase and Greaves are fit enough to contribute fully — will go a long way in deciding which way this Test swings.
Conclusion
Two days ago, Pakistan’s batting was the reason they lost the series opener. On Day 2 in Trinidad, it was the reason they’re right back in this Test. Abdullah Shafique’s timely return to form and Babar Azam’s calm, controlled 86 have turned this match on its head, and with eight wickets in hand and the deficit down to 78, Pakistan will fancy their chances of batting West Indies out of the game on Day 3.
FAQs
1. What was the score at the end of Day 2 in the WI vs Pakistan 2nd Test? West Indies were all out for 344, and Pakistan closed on 266/2, trailing by 78 runs.
2. Who scored a century for Pakistan on Day 2? Abdullah Shafique scored an unbeaten 107 off 185 balls, his sixth Test century.
3. Why was Abdullah Shafique playing this Test? Shafique was called up as an emergency replacement after Shan Masood suffered a finger injury, and he batted at number three in his first Test since October.
4. Who was Pakistan’s best bowler in West Indies’ first innings? Sajid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/85.
5. What is the state of the series after this Test? West Indies lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Stadium, before this 2nd Test began in Trinidad.
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