PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago: Abdullah Shafique delivered a masterclass in patience and technique, remaining unbeaten on 160 runs to guide Pakistan to a crucial 43-run first-innings lead over West Indies on the third day of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old opener’s magnificent knock, spanning 323 deliveries and featuring 15 boundaries and three sixes, proved the cornerstone of Pakistan’s total of 387 all out, as the visitors responded strongly to the West Indies’ first-innings score of 344.
🚨🏝️🇵🇰 Abdullah Shafique In Style To Six To Bring Up 150 Landmark 160* Not Out Great Knock Seen By Since 2023 By Any Pakistani Batter He have Hunger For Runs.. 🏏 #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/CwQ9MIsXxs
— Inshal Siddiqui🤍🇵🇰✨ (@InshalSid123) August 4, 2026
Shafique’s resilience under pressure ensured Pakistan gained the upper hand in the decisive second Test of the series.
Shafique anchors innings after middle-order collapse
Pakistan resumed their first innings from 266/6 on the third morning, with captain Babar Azam and Shafique at the crease. The pair had added 25 runs to their overnight partnership when disaster struck, a mix-up between the two batters resulted in Brandon King’s direct hit finding Babar short of his ground. The Pakistan captain departed for a well-compiled 88 off 147 deliveries, which included 10 fours and a six.
The dismissal triggered a brief collapse as Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession. Debutant Awais Zafar and batting all-rounder Salman Ali Agha fell to Jomel Warrican and Shamar Joseph respectively within the span of just six deliveries, leaving Pakistan reeling at 286/5.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan then joined forces with Shafique, and the duo steadied the innings with a 25-run partnership that helped Pakistan cross the 300-run mark. However, Warrican struck again to clean up Rizwan for 18, ending the stand.
Abdullah Shafique registered the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter on Caribbean soil since 1977, remaining unbeaten on 160, with Pakistan taking a first-innings lead of 43 runs.#WIvPAK #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/MzjMewUGyv
— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) August 4, 2026
Sajid Khan provides crucial support
Following the lunch break, Shafique found a reliable partner in No.8 batter Sajid Khan, and the pair frustrated West Indies by stretching their seventh-wicket partnership to 59 runs. Sajid played a valuable supporting role, scoring a brisk 30 off 72 deliveries with four boundaries.
The partnership was finally broken when Jayden Seales provided the home side with a much-needed breakthrough, getting Sajid caught behind. Shafique then shared a brief 17-run stand with Ali Usman, who made 10 off 21 balls before falling to Warrican.
Warrican struck twice more in a decisive 115th over, cleaning up Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali for ducks to end Pakistan’s innings. Shafique remained unbeaten, finishing as the top-scorer and ensuring his team secured a handy first-innings advantage.
Warrican leads West Indies bowling charge
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the standout performer for West Indies, claiming sensational figures of 6/112 in 46 overs, the best bowling performance of the match so far. His spell was instrumental in restricting Pakistan after the visitors had looked comfortable at 266/6.
Shamar Joseph provided solid support with two wickets, while Jayden Seales chipped in with one scalp. The West Indies bowlers fought hard on a pitch offering variable bounce and turn, but Shafique’s monumental knock proved the difference between the two sides.
Match poised for exciting finish
With a 43-run lead in hand, Pakistan will look to build on their advantage when they take the field for the second innings. Shafique’s heroic unbeaten century has given his team a psychological edge, and the visitors will aim to put pressure on the West Indies batters on a wearing pitch.
The West Indies, however, will take confidence from Warrican’s exceptional bowling display and the knowledge that they fought back strongly after Pakistan’s strong position. The final two days promise an intriguing battle between bat and ball in Port of Spain.
