Pakistan have seized control of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval — but West Indies are still alive. Abdullah Shafique carried his bat with a magnificent 160, Jomel Warrican took six, and a gripping match sits perfectly poised at stumps on day three.
Day 3 Stumps: West Indies 103-6, Lead by 60 Runs
The second Test between West Indies and Pakistan at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, is perfectly poised after three absorbing days. Pakistan have the upper hand, but West Indies — chasing a series-clinching 2-0 lead — are still very much in the contest.
At stumps on day three, West Indies are 103-6 in their second innings, leading by 60 runs, with Pakistan’s spinners having ripped through the top order. The win probability model had Pakistan at 89 per cent and West Indies at just 11 per cent — but the hosts still have Brandon King, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican and Shamar Joseph to come, and a lead that is already worth more than it looks on a turning pitch.
Abdullah Shafique Carries His Bat: A Rare 160 Not Out
The story of Pakistan’s first innings — and arguably of the match so far — was Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 160. Opening the batting, Shafique batted through all 115 overs of Pakistan’s innings, carrying his bat as the last man fell. His innings spanned 323 balls and included 15 fours and three sixes — a marathon display of concentration on a surface that never fully settled.
Shafique’s vigil laid the platform for Pakistan’s commanding total of 387 all out, and it came in partnership with his captain. Babar Azam made 88 — run out by Brandon King — during a decisive 183-run stand for the third wicket with Shafique. Azan Awais chipped in with 55 at the top of the order.
The 183-run third-wicket stand between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam was the match-defining passage of play — Pakistan went from 98-2 to 281-3 and never looked back.
Warrican’s Six-Wicket Haul Keeps West Indies in It
West Indies’ reply to Pakistan’s total was built around one man: Jomel Warrican. The left-arm spinner bowled a marathon spell of 46 overs to take 6-112, ripping through Pakistan’s middle and lower order.
His victims included Azan Awais (55), Awais Zafar, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali — a six-for that dragged West Indies back into the match after Pakistan threatened to post something far bigger. Shamar Joseph supported with 2-84 and Jayden Seales took the wicket of Sajid Khan.
The West Indies first innings had earlier set the tone: 344 all out in 105.4 overs, built on Justin Greaves’ 73 and captain Roston Chase’s 70, with Brandon King making 46. Pakistan’s Sajid Khan claimed 4-85, while Mohammad Ali and Ubaid Shah took two apiece.
Sajid Khan Turns the Screw in the Second Innings
If Warrican was the star for West Indies, Sajid Khan was the match-winner in waiting for Pakistan. The off-spinner followed his first-innings four-for with 4-32 in the second, bowling with relentless accuracy as West Indies’ top order collapsed to 103-6.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul (17), Amir Jangoo (13) and Shai Hope (15) all fell to Sajid, while Ali Usman — making his second Test appearance — took 2-29 including the key wickets of Kavem Hodge (34) and Roston Chase (17). At the close, Justin Greaves was unbeaten on 1, with the overnight pair needing to marshal the tail.
West Indies 1st Innings: 344 All Out (105.4 Overs)
- Justin Greaves 73, Roston Chase 70, Brandon King 46
- Sajid Khan 4-85, Mohammad Ali 2-67, Ubaid Shah 2-66, Ali Usman 2-80
Pakistan 1st Innings: 387 All Out (115 Overs) — Lead of 43
- Abdullah Shafique 160 not out (323 balls, 15 fours, 3 sixes) — carried his bat
- Babar Azam 88, Azan Awais 55, Sajid Khan 30
- Jomel Warrican 6-112, Shamar Joseph 2-84, Jayden Seales 1-55
West Indies 2nd Innings: 103-6 (40.5 Overs) — Lead by 60
- Kavem Hodge 34, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 17, Roston Chase 17, Shai Hope 15
- Sajid Khan 4-32, Ali Usman 2-29
- Justin Greaves 1 not out; Brandon King, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph yet to bat
Series Context: West Indies Lead 1-0
West Indies hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after a dramatic 90-run victory in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a win dedicated to the late Sir Garfield Sobers, who died on 17 July aged 89. Jayden Seales (5-20) and Justin Greaves (5-27) were the heroes of that triumph.
A win in Port of Spain would seal the series for the hosts — and both teams have plenty riding on the result in the World Test Championship. Pakistan, under reinstated captain Babar Azam, are desperate to avoid an eighth consecutive away Test defeat, a run that has blighted their WTC campaign.
What Day 4 Holds
West Indies need to stretch their lead towards something Pakistan cannot realistically chase on a pitch offering increasing turn and variable bounce. Brandon King, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican and Shamar Joseph will be the key men — every run from the tail is gold.
Pakistan, meanwhile, know that breaking this partnership early on day four could leave them chasing a modest target with the game in their control. Sajid Khan will be the man West Indies fear most, with Ali Usman providing superb support.
Key Takeaways
- Abdullah Shafique 160* — carried his bat through Pakistan’s 387, a monumental innings including 15 fours and three sixes
- Babar Azam 88 — the 183-run stand with Shafique swung the match Pakistan’s way
- Jomel Warrican 6-112 — kept West Indies alive with a marathon 46-over spell
- Sajid Khan 4-32 — eight wickets in the match so far for Pakistan’s off-spinner
- West Indies 103-6, lead 60 — the match hangs in the balance with the tail exposed
- Series: West Indies lead 1-0; a win in Port of Spain clinches the series for the hosts
Day four at the Queen’s Park Oval promises high drama. Can West Indies’ lower order defy Pakistan’s spinners and set a target that defends the series — or will Shafique’s masterclass prove the defining innings of the summer? The answer begins when play resumes.
What We Know So Far: The Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test Analysis
Day 3 of the Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test is one of those matches where the storyline is everything. Shafique Carries Bat with 160 runs as Pakistan builds a strong position, but West Indies have responded with a fighting effort that keeps the match alive.
What Happened on Day 3
Shafique’s 160-run innings is the defining performance of the match so far. His technique, his patience, and his ability to rotate the strike under pressure are all elite. He scored at a strike rate of 58 — not blistering, but exactly what you need when you’re building a lead in a Test match.
West Indies’ response has been respectable but not enough. Their batting lineup has shown flashes of brilliance — several players have contributed with useful scores — but they haven’t been able to put together sustained partnerships. Their top order has been fragile, and their middle order has lacked the depth to challenge Pakistan’s bowling attack for extended periods.
The Bowling Battle
West Indies’ spin attack has been their best weapon. Both frontline spinners have combined for wickets at regular intervals, and their ability to create turning pitches on the deteriorating surface has been crucial. Pakistan’s top order has been hit with early breakthroughs — losing two wickets within the first 30 overs — but they’ve responded well with useful partnerships in the middle order.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is more varied and more disciplined. Their medium pace, their swing bowling, and their spin attack all have threats. West Indies’ batting lineup needs to respond to each phase of the bowling, and they haven’t been able to do so consistently.
What This Means for the Match
The scoreboard says West Indies lead by 60 runs. But the real story is about momentum, and right now, momentum is with Pakistan. Shafique’s innings has built a platform that Pakistan can build on. If they bat well on Day 4 and 5, they have the bowling attack to close this match out.
For West Indies, the priority is to bat longer. Their top order needs to settle. Their middle order needs to find a rhythm. Their bowlers need to take wickets at regular intervals. If they can do all three, they have the batting depth to challenge Pakistan for the match.
The Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan’s Test record in the West Indies is historically poor — they’ve lost the majority of their Test series in the region. But this match is different. Pakistan have shown resilience, depth, and tactical awareness. If they can replicate this performance in the second Test, they could end a long drought of West Indies Test wins.
The bottom line? This match is wide open. Pakistan have built a strong position, but West Indies have the batting to respond. The next two days will decide whether this is a one-day wonder or a series-winning performance.
