Tarouba, July 27, 2026: Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq produced a resilient batting display to guide Pakistan to 199-3 at stumps on the second day of the opening Test against the West Indies after the visitors had bowled out the hosts for 311 in the first innings at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Pakistan closed the day trailing by 112 runs, with Shan unbeaten on 88 off 137 deliveries, including 11 fours, while Salman Ali Agha was yet to score after facing nine balls.
The visitors suffered an early setback when opener Azan Awais was dismissed for a nine-ball duck, clean bowled by veteran pacer Kemar Roach with a superb delivery that crashed into the stumps.
Pakistan quickly recovered through a commanding 155-run partnership for the second wicket between Shan and Imam, who combined disciplined defence with fluent stroke play to wrest control from the West Indies.
Masood eased the pressure by finding the boundary regularly and reached his 15th Test half-century, while Imam provided solid support at the other end before completing his 11th Test fifty.
The pair continued to dominate the West Indies attack after tea, taking both Pakistan’s total and their partnership beyond 150 with a series of well-timed boundaries.
The stand was finally broken when Shamar Joseph dismissed Imam for a determined 63 off 102 balls, an innings featuring seven boundaries, leaving Pakistan at 156-2 in 33.3 overs.
Returning captain Babar Azam then joined Shan and the pair added another 41 runs, steadily reducing the deficit before Jayden Seales removed Babar for a composed 23 off 38 deliveries, which included three fours.
Earlier, West Indies were dismissed for 311 after electing to bat first, with Shai Hope and Kavem Hodge leading the resistance through impressive half-centuries.
Hope top-scored with 92 off 182 deliveries, striking six fours and a six, while Hodge compiled a patient 84 from 183 balls, including nine boundaries.
Shamar Joseph provided late momentum with a brisk 23 off just 13 deliveries, featuring four fours and a six. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo contributed 21 runs each, Brandon King scored 12, Justin Greaves made 15, and captain Roston Chase added 10.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Mohammad Ali, who claimed 4-50 in 21.5 overs to prevent the hosts from posting a more imposing total.
Mohammad Abbas supported him with 3-65, while Khurram Shahzad picked up two wickets and Aamer Jamal claimed one as Pakistan maintained disciplined pressure throughout the West Indies innings.
With seven wickets in hand and Shan Masood well set at the crease, Pakistan will look to erase the remaining deficit and establish a first-innings lead when play resumes on the third day.
