TRINIDAD: Abdullah Shafique remained firm as Pakistan suffered yet another dramatic collapse following Babar Azam’s run-out on day three of the second Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval on Tuesday.
By lunch, Pakistan had reached 333-6 and were still trailing by 11 runs in response to West Indies first-innings total. Abdullah Shafique faced 175 deliveries for his unbeaten 132, including 12 fours and two sixes, whereas Sajid Khan hit three fours in his 16 from 22 deliveries.
Pakistan began the day at 266-2 with Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique making a cautious start. The West Indies bowlers kept the scoring in check during the opening 10 overs, maintaining tight lines and lengths to dry up the flow of runs.
The pressure eventually resulted in Babar’s run-out, as he added only two to his overnight score of 86. Pakistan skipper hopes of ending his four-year wait for a Test century were dashed following a mix-up with Abdullah.
While attempting a quick single after nudging the ball into the off side, Babar was caught well short by a direct hit from Brandon King at cover, who also injured himself in the process.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Babar made 88 off 147, striking a six and 10 fours. The wicket triggered a familiar Pakistan collapse as they slumped from 281-3 to 286-5 in the space of three overs.
West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican then bowled debutant Awais Zafar, who threw away his wicket by charging down the pitch. The right-hander managed just one. In the next over, Shamar Joseph trapped Salman Ali Agha lbw for a duck, which left the visitors reeling.
After quick wickets, Mohammad Rizwan joined Abdullah Shafique in a bid to stabilize the innings. The pair added a brief 25-run stand before Warrican castled Rizwan, who attempted to cut a delivery that kept low. The wicketkeeper-batter managed 18 from 29 with the help of three fours.
The scorecard read 311-6 when Sajid joined hands with Abdullah. The pair soaked up pressure and stitched an unbeaten 22-run partnership to their side into lunch.
Warrican picked up two wickets whiel Joseph managed to take one wickets for West Indies in the session.