WI vs PAK 2nd Test: Abdullah Shafique's comeback ton, Babar Azam's grit help Pakistan surge in control on day 2

Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam led Pakistan's charge on day 2 of the ongoing second Test at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain as the duo stitched an unbeaten 168-run stand for the third wicket and powered their side to 266 before stumps.

Shafique, who was playing a Test match for the first time since October last year, made good use of the batting conditions on offer and struck his sixth Test century. It was his first since October 2024 against England in Multan and one that may prove decisive in the outcome of this Test match.

Shafique batted as if he had all the time in the world and wore the Windies bowlers down one after another. He played close to 31 overs, struck 10 fours and two sixes and took Pakistan within 78 runs of West Indies' first innings total of 344. 

Skipper Babar also looked in his element and was more fluent than Shafique in the partnership. He smashed 10 fours and a six and played a few delightful strokes to enchant the Pakistani diaspora assembled at the venue in hope of a series-levelling win.

Pakistan began tentatively before Shamar Joseph got rid of Imam-ul-Haq on 14, but the young opener Azan Awais looked composed and unflustered despite the early loss of his opening partner. Awais missed a conventional sweep against Jomel Warrican, and it was curtains for the southpaw as the ball tracking suggested the delivery would have crashed into the leg stump. At 98/2, Pakistan required resurrection, and it came from Shafique and Babar.

The pitch seemed to have settled down rather too nicely, unlike the opening day, and Pakistan utilised it to their strength.

Earlier in the day, Roston Chase (70) and Justin Greaves (73) failed to convert their promising innings into three-figure marks, and that hurt the hosts as they missed out on the 400-run mark, which could've easily put the tourists under a tremendous amount of psychological pressure.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan (4/85) was the pick of all the Pakistan bowlers. Ali Usman, Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets apiece.