Abdullah Shafique Hits Unbeaten 160 as Pakistan Mount Strong Response Against West Indies
Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test: Test cricket has a unique way of turning routine sessions into high-stakes drama within a matter of minutes. On Day 3 of the second Test between Pakistan and West Indies at the iconic Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, fans witnessed precisely that blend of resilience and sudden chaos.
Resuming their first innings in a dominant position, Pakistan looked set to comfortably overhaul the home team’s total. However, a sudden flurry of wickets—triggered by a costly mix-up that sent captain Babar Azam back to the pavilion—threatened to hand the initiative back to Kraigg Brathwaite’s men.
Through the chaos, opener Abdullah Shafique stood as an unyielding fortress. Holding one end with composure, Shafique brought up a crucial 132 not out by Lunch, guiding Pakistan to 333/6 in 95 overs—trailing West Indies by a narrow 11 runs with four first-innings wickets still in hand.
Key Match Highlights at a Glance
| Metric / Event | Details |
| Match Venue | Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad |
| Match Phase | Day 3, Lunch Session (2nd Test) |
| Pakistan 1st Innings Score | 333/6 (95.0 overs) |
| Trail Deficit | 11 runs |
| Top Batter (Pakistan) | Abdullah Shafique — 132* unbeaten |
| Key Dismissal | Babar Azam — 88 (Run Out by Brandon King) |
| Standout WI Bowlers | Jomel Warrican (3/103 in 39 overs), Shamar Joseph (2/68 in 13 overs) |
How the Morning Session Unfolded in Port of Spain
The Costly Mix-Up: Babar Azam Fall Ends 25-Run Morning Extension
Pakistan resumed Day 3 at a solid position, with Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam looking to build on their substantial overnight platform. The duo initially played with control, neutralizing the early movement offered by the pitch and adding 25 runs to their overnight tally.
Just as the partnership was beginning to look unshakable, miscommunication struck in the ninth over of the morning. A hesitation between the two batters invited a swift response from Brandon King, whose sharp fielding and direct hit caught Babar Azam short of his crease. Babar was dismissed for a fluent 88 off 147 deliveries, a knock that included 10 crisp boundaries and a towering six.
Overnight Score: 266/1+ → Wicket 1: Babar Azam (Run Out - 88) → Score: 286/2
Rapid Wickets: Awais Zafar (0) & Agha Salman (0) → Score Slips to 286/5
Recovery Stand: Rizwan (18) + Shafique → 300+ breached → Score: 311/6
Lunch Partnership: Shafique (132*) & Sajid Khan (16*) → Score: 333/6 (Trail by 11)
Rapid Wickets Put West Indies Back in the Hunt
Taking full advantage of the opening created by the run-out, the West Indian bowlers struck with lethal precision. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and pace sensation Shamar Joseph combined forces to dismantle Pakistan’s middle order within a span of just six deliveries.
- Awais Zafar: The debutant top-order batter was trapped by Jomel Warrican before he could open his account, falling for a duck under pressure.
- Agha Salman: Batting all-rounder Agha Salman followed immediately after, undone by a sharp delivery from Shamar Joseph without adding to the score.
From a position of total authority, Pakistan suddenly found themselves reduced to 286/5, giving the West Indies team a surge of momentum in front of their home crowd.
The Recovery: Shafique and Lower Order Steady the Ship
Mohammad Rizwan’s Countering Presence
With the innings threatening to unravel, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan joined Abdullah Shafique at the crease. Rizwan adopted a proactive approach, rotating the strike and finding boundaries to absorb the pressure created by the quick wickets.
Together, the pair pushed Pakistan past the 300-run milestone with a vital 25-run stand. However, Warrican returned to strike another blow, cleaning up Rizwan for 18 runs with a beautiful delivery that clipped the off-stump.
Sajid Khan Joins Shafique Before Lunch
Joining Shafique at 311/6, tailender Sajid Khan displayed sound defensive technique alongside occasional aggression. Sajid struck an unbeaten 16 runs off brisk deliveries, helping craft an unbroken 22-run partnership before the umpires signaled Lunch on Day 3.
Shafique, meanwhile, anchored the response with masterclass patience, remaining unbeaten on 132 runs. His innings demonstrated exceptional shot selection, particularly against spin on a surface starting to show variable bounce.
Tactical Analysis: Pitch Conditions and Bowling Performance
Jomel Warrican Leads the West Indian Attack
On a Queen’s Park Oval pitch offering gradual spin and occasional low bounce, Jomel Warrican was the standout performer for the hosts. Bowling 39 heavy overs, Warrican maintained a tight line and length, finishing the morning session with figures of 3 for 103.
Complementing him was Shamar Joseph, whose fiery spells provided much-needed pace and hostility, capturing 2 for 68 in 13 overs.
Match Situation: What Lies Ahead on Day 3?
With Pakistan trailing by just 11 runs and four wickets in hand, the post-lunch session will be critical in deciding the outcome of the first innings lead:
- For Pakistan: Extending the current lead past 50–70 runs would put enormous pressure on the West Indies during their second turn at bat.
- For West Indies: Quick breakthroughs to clean up the tail could limit Pakistan’s lead to under 20 runs, keeping the Test match wide open.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the score at Lunch on Day 3 of the Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test?
At Lunch on Day 3, Pakistan reached 333/6 in 95 overs, trailing West Indies by 11 runs.
2. How many runs did Abdullah Shafique score on Day 3?
Abdullah Shafique was unbeaten on 132* at the Lunch break, having anchored Pakistan’s first innings.
3. How was Babar Azam dismissed in the second Test?
Babar Azam was run out for 88 runs following a mix-up with Abdullah Shafique, completed by a direct hit from Brandon King.
4. Who was the best bowler for West Indies in Pakistan’s first innings?
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the key bowler for West Indies, taking 3 wickets for 103 runs in 39 overs.
5. Where is the 2nd Test between Pakistan and West Indies being played?
The match is taking place at the historic Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
6. What was Pakistan’s score before the morning collapse?
Pakistan were comfortably placed at 266 overnight before losing Babar Azam, Awais Zafar, and Agha Salman in quick succession to drop to 286/5.
Conclusion
The third day of the 2nd Test at Port of Spain highlighted the unpredictable nature of Test cricket. While a brief collapse sparked by Babar Azam’s run-out gave West Indies a lifeline, Abdullah Shafique’s high-class century ensured Pakistan retained the upper hand. With a minor deficit of 11 runs left to clear and four wickets remaining, Pakistan remains primed to build a substantial lead as the match progresses into its pivotal middle phase.
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