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08/03 18:23 CDT Shafique and Babar Azam put Pakistan on top in 2nd cricket test
against West Indies
Shafique and Babar Azam put Pakistan on top in 2nd cricket test against West
Indies
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) --- Abdullah Shafique posted his sixth test
century in an unbroken 168-run third-wicket stand with Babar Azam to put
Pakistan on top after Day 2 of the second cricket test against West Indies.
West Indies was bowled out for 344 in its first innings right on lunch after
having resumed Monday at 239-5. Azan Awais then put the Pakistan reply on a
solid footing with a half-century before Shafique and Babar led the visitors to
266-2 at stumps.
Shafique was 107 not out and captain Babar unbeaten on 86 after Pakistan's best
day of the two-test series. West Indies won the opener by 90 runs.
Batting was tricky on Day 1 when the pitch favored the slow bowlers. Conditions
improved considerably on Monday and Pakistan cashed in and is now only 78 runs
behind.
Awais (55) reached his maiden test half-century, with nine boundaries, after
having put on 34 for the first wicket with Imam-ul-Haq (14). He then added 64
for the second wicket with Shafique before being trapped lbw by Jomel Warrican
when he missed an attempted sweep.
The umpire rejected West Indies' appeal but captain Roston Chase referred the
decision to the television umpire, who ruled the ball was turning enough to hit
leg stump.
Babar joined Shafique and showed his intention to play aggressively and keep
Pakistan on the front foot, the pair adding 100 runs from only 139 balls.
Shafique reached his half-century first, with four fours and two sixes. Babar
followed soon after with his 33rd half-century, including eight fours.
Shafique went on to his first test century in almost two years, from 173 balls.
His last test hundred was against England in October 2024.
He missed the first test against West Indies and is back for the first time
since featuring against South Africa last October.
Later in the match, Pakistan will need to make sure it avoids another of the
second-innings collapses that have been a recent feature. Pakistan made 282 in
the first innings of the first test before being bowled out for 120 in the
second.
Earlier Monday, Justin Greaves top-scored with 73 and Chase made a defiant 70
as West Indies achieved a creditable total.
Off-break bowler Sajid Khan returned 4-85 while left-arm spinner Ali Usman,
playing in his second test, Mohammad Ali and Ubaid Shah claimed two wickets
apiece.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
