Shafique’s century, Azam’s masterclass put Pakistan in command against West Indies

Pakistan turned the second Test firmly in their favor on Monday as Abdullah Shafique crafted a magnificent unbeaten century and captain Babar Azam produced another polished innings to expose an erratic West Indies bowling attack at Queen’s Park Oval.

At stumps on the second day, Pakistan had surged to 266 for two, replying confidently to the West Indies’ first-innings total of 344, with Shafique unbeaten on 107 from 185 deliveries and Azam providing outstanding support with 86 not out off 126 balls.

Their unbeaten 168-run third-wicket partnership transformed the complexion of the match, leaving Pakistan only 78 runs behind and well positioned to secure a substantial first-innings advantage when play resumes on Tuesday.

West Indies fail to capitalize with the ball

After battling hard to post a competitive first-innings total earlier in the day, the West Indies failed to apply sustained pressure with the ball.

The pace trio of Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph struggled for consistency, regularly offering scoring opportunities that Pakistan’s batsmen accepted with authority. Loose deliveries outnumbered genuine wicket-taking balls, allowing the visitors to settle quickly and dictate the tempo.

Azan Awais immediately signaled Pakistan’s intent, driving Roach for three consecutive boundaries in the third over before combining with Imam-ul-Haq in a brisk opening stand worth 34 runs.

Joseph eventually produced the breakthrough, extracting sharp lift from a good-length delivery that climbed onto Imam’s bat and looped comfortably to Jomel Warrican at gully.

Awais impresses before Shafique and Azam take over

Awais continued to attack relentlessly, punishing anything short or wide and striking Joseph for four boundaries in a single over.

Shafique soon joined the assault, launching Warrican for back-to-back sixes as Pakistan steadily wrestled control.

Awais reached his maiden Test half-century from just 61 balls before Warrican finally ended his entertaining innings. After the on-field umpire ruled him not out leg before wicket, West Indies successfully reviewed the decision, sending him back for 55 and reducing Pakistan to 98 for two.

It would prove to be the hosts’ final success of the day.

Masterclass in patience and precision

With Awais dismissed, Shafique and Azam combined to produce a batting exhibition built on discipline, intelligent shot selection and timely aggression.

Azam quickly settled into rhythm, driving Seales for three boundaries in one over to underline Pakistan’s growing authority.

The visitors reached tea comfortably placed at 139 for two, scoring at better than four runs an over, and maintained that momentum throughout the final session.

Shafique advanced to his seventh Test half-century from 79 deliveries with a perfectly timed straight drive off Roach before Azam raised his own landmark, recording his 33rd Test fifty as Pakistan tightened its grip on the contest.

The West Indies briefly sensed an opening when Azam miscued a lofted stroke, but Joseph was unable to complete a difficult one-handed catch on the long-on boundary, watching instead as the ball sailed over the rope for six.

Shafique completed a memorable innings near the close, pulling Warrican to the midwicket fence to register his sixth Test century, and his first since 2024, before he and Azam safely negotiated the remaining overs.

West Indies add valuable runs before collapse

Earlier in the day, the West Indies resumed on 239 for five and added a useful 104 runs through the lower order to reach 344, though Pakistan ultimately wrapped up the innings efficiently.

Justin Greaves, who resumed on 64, added just nine more before driving Ali Usman directly to point to depart for 73.

Captain Roston Chase anchored the innings with a composed 70, reaching his 12th Test half-century and sharing a valuable 35-run stand with Roach before Ubaid Shah bowled him after a delivery clipped his pads.

Spinner Sajid Khan then swept through the tail, dismissing Shamar Joseph, Roach and Seales to finish with impressive figures of 4-85.

Shah claimed 2-66, while Mohammad Ali (2-67) and Ali Usman (2-80) also collected two wickets apiece.

Pakistan firmly in the driver's seat

After conceding a respectable first-innings total, Pakistan responded with authority, combining disciplined batting with calculated aggression to leave the West Indies chasing the game.

Unless the home side can find early breakthroughs on the third morning, Shafique and Azam appear poised to convert Pakistan’s dominance into a commanding first-innings lead and place the visitors in complete control of the Test.