08/03/26 05:35:00
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08/03 17:33 CDT Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam put Pakistan on top in 2nd
test against West Indies
Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam put Pakistan on top in 2nd 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 and final test against West Indies on
Monday.
West Indies was bowled out for 344 in its first innings right on lunch after
having resumed at 239-5. Azan Awais then put the Pakistan reply on a solid
footing with a half-century before Shafique and Babar led it to 266-2 at stumps.
Shafique was 107 not out and captain Babar unbeaten on 86 after Pakistan's best
day of the series. West Indies won the first test 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 West Indies.
Awais 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 on 55.
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 ton came against England in Multan 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. It 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 took 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
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