Tarouba, July 26, 2026: Fast bowler Mohammad Ali claimed four wickets as Pakistan wrapped up the West Indies’ first innings for 311 during the second session on the second day of the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Sunday.
After electing to bat, the hosts recovered from an early collapse through fighting knocks by Kavem Hodge and Shai Hope, but Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack ensured West Indies were dismissed before extending their advantage.
West Indies endured a difficult start on the opening day as Pakistan’s pace attack kept the scoring under control.
Openers Brandon King and Tagenarine Chanderpaul added just 13 runs before Mohammad Abbas struck with the second ball of the ninth over, forcing King to chop a wide delivery onto his stumps. King departed for 12 off 29 balls, including one boundary.
Hodge then joined Chanderpaul, and the pair cautiously rebuilt the innings before rain interrupted play with West Indies on 23-1.
After play resumed, Hodge settled in to register his fourth Test half-century and shared a 51-run partnership with Chanderpaul for the second wicket.
Aamir Jamal eventually broke the stand by dismissing Chanderpaul for 21 off 77 deliveries, while Abbas struck again to remove Amir Jangoo for 21 after the batter had helped take the hosts past the 100-run mark.
West Indies reached tea on the opening day at 127-3, with Hodge unbeaten on 56 and Shai Hope on 11. The pair continued to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers in the final session, guiding the hosts to 194-3 at stumps.
Pakistan made an early breakthrough on the second morning when Khurram Shahzad dismissed Hodge for a determined 84 off 183 deliveries, including nine boundaries.
Hope and Justin Greaves steadied the innings with a composed partnership before Mohammad Ali claimed his first wicket by removing Greaves for 15 off 31 balls.
Captain Roston Chase failed to make a significant contribution, falling to Abbas for 10, while Khurram Shahzad dismissed Kemar Roach for three to reduce West Indies to 274-7.
Shamar Joseph briefly shifted the momentum with an entertaining 23 off just 13 deliveries, striking four boundaries and a six before Mohammad Ali removed him shortly after lunch.
Hope’s resilient innings ended agonisingly short of a century when Ali claimed his third wicket, dismissing the right-hander for a superb 92 off 182 balls, which included six fours and a six.
Ali then completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Jayden Seales for a duck, bringing the innings to a close at 311 in 98.5 overs.
Mohammad Ali finished as Pakistan’s most successful bowler with impressive figures of 4-50 in 21.5 overs. Abbas claimed 3-71, while Khurram Shahzad picked up two wickets and Aamir Jamal chipped in with one as Pakistan produced a disciplined all-round bowling display.
