Shan Masood keeps Pakistan ahead after Mohammad Ali's four-fer limits Windies to 311
Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq (Source: PCB)
Published - 27 Jul 2026, 10:29 AM• Read time - 2 mins
Pakistan appear to be in the driver’s seat at the end of day two of the first Test in Trinidad, having trimmed the deficit to just 112 runs with seven wickets still in hand. Day two began emphatically for Pakistan after Khurram Shahzad broke the 91‑run stand between Kavem Hodge and Shai Hope.
Shahzad’s persistence on the fifth‑stump channel paid dividends as he lured Hodge into a false stroke, resulting in a catch at second slip. Hodge (84 off 183) was visibly upset at missing out on a hundred after hours of hard grind.
Hope then held one end together, adding several small but significant partnerships with the lower middle order and tail to take the hosts past the 300‑run mark. He was unfortunate to miss out on a well‑deserved hundred, failing to keep out a nip‑backer from Ali that crashed into his front pad.
Hope was adjudged out on the field, and although he reviewed the decision, Hawk‑Eye confirmed the ball would have hit leg stump. Hope fell eight short of his century as the ninth wicket to fall. Shamar Joseph played an enterprising cameo, scoring 23 off 13 balls with four boundaries and a six before also falling to Ali.
Ali finished with figures of 4/50 in 21.5 overs. Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets, while Shahzad and Aamer Jamal picked up two and one, respectively.
In reply, Pakistan were pegged back early as opener Azan Awais was cleaned up by Kemar Roach from around the stumps with just a run on the board. However, Shan Masood and Imam‑ul‑Haq scripted a remarkable 155‑run stand, foiling the hosts’ plans.
The two left‑handers batted sensibly and showcased admirable aplomb, denying the Windies pacers opportunities to exploit the new‑ball advantage.
Imam fell for 63 in search of his eighth boundary, edging one straight to Justin Greaves at first slip while attempting a cover drive. Skipper Babar Azam looked fluent during his 38‑ball 23 before edging a short‑of‑a‑good‑length delivery from Jayden Seales into the wicketkeeper's gloves.
Meanwhile, Masood remained unfazed by the wickets tumbling around him, striking 11 fours in his 137‑ball 88. He finished unbeaten alongside Salman Agha (0*) as Pakistan closed on 199/3. The hosts will need something special early on day three to prevent the tourists from taking a substantial first‑innings lead.