Shafique's ton, Babar's 86* lead strong Pakistan response on Day 2

Pakistan had one of their better batting days in recent times, led by Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam's unbroken 168-run stand for the third wicket, as they moved to 266 for 2 at Stumps on Day 2 of the second Test in Port of Spain, having earlier bowled West Indies out for 344. Shafique, coming in as Shan Masood's replacement for this Test, was unbeaten on 107 while Babar Azam was closing in on a three-figure score, ending the day at 86 not out. Pakistan had resumed their reply positively through Azan Awais and Imam-ul-Haq after wrapping up the West Indies innings in the morning, but the hosts clawed back with two wickets before Tea. Shamar Joseph's sharp lifting punch sent Imam down, and Awais missed a sweep against Jomel Warrican after scoring a bold fifty. West Indies had an opening at 139 for 2, but Shafique and Babar quickly closed the door with a composed partnership that struck a balance between caution and regular scoring. The pitch became more flat, making it much easier for the pair to bat, and West Indies had a hard time getting the same help from Pakistan's spinners as they had earlier in the game. Justin Greaves' inability to bowl because of a leg injury further reduced the hosts' options, forcing them to rely heavily on Warrican, Shamar Joseph and part-time spin from Roston Chase and Kavem Hodge. Both Shafique and Babar were quick to put away the loose deliveries and rotated strike comfortably. The visitors were the sole participants in the post-tea gathering. Babar settled into his familiar rhythm, unfurling crisp back-foot punches, drives and flicks to bring up his 33rd Test fifty, while Shafique matched him stroke for stroke at the other end. The duo crossed the three-figure partnership with minimal fuss, repeatedly frustrating West Indies with their judgment outside off stump and ability to cash in whenever the bowlers erred in length. The hosts' only opportunities came through a couple of missed run-out chances and half-chances in the field, none of which were converted. Shafique completed a near-flawless hundred, reaching his sixth Test century - his third away from home, first outside the subcontinent and first against West Indies - with a pull off Warrican. By Stumps, his unbroken 168-run stand with Babar had grown into Pakistan's first 150-plus third-wicket partnership outside Asia since Mohammad Hafeez and Yousuf Youhana added 177 at The Oval in 2006, leaving the visitors just 78 runs behind with eight wickets in hand. Earlier, West Indies began the day at 239 for 5 and managed to stretch their first-innings total to 344 despite Pakistan striking with the second new ball. Greaves, who had only added nine runs to his overnight score of 64, scored 73 when Ali Usman sliced an attempted drive to point. Pakistan then chipped away regularly, with Ubaid Shah removing the well-set Roston Chase for 70 after the West Indies captain had added a gritty half-century and shared a valuable 96-run stand with Greaves. In a tenacious stand with Chase, Kemar Roach resisted for 19 runs, and Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales contributed useful runs to help West Indies add 105 runs in the morning session. Sajid Khan, however, ensured the lower order did not wag for too long, trapping Roach lbw before dismissing Shamar Joseph and eventually wrapping up the innings by having Seales caught at slip to finish with 4 for 85. Ali Usman claimed 2 for 80, as Pakistan's spinners shared six wickets between them after shouldering the bulk of the bowling workload.