Shafique, spinners stars as Pakistan level test series with clinical win

There was no drastic collapse unlike the first Test, as Pakistan cleared out a small target on Day 4, winning the second Test to level the series against the West Indies 1-1. It ended Pakistan's four-match losing streak in Tests and also ended their eight-match losing streak in Tests away from home; the last time they beat Sri Lanka was in July 2023. It wasn’t an event-free pursuit though. Chasing 75, they lost Imam-ul-Haq early. Jayden Seales beat him with a peach in the fifth over and repeated it next ball to induce a thick edge to slip. Azan Awais then dug in with Abdullah Shafique, but they had to endure sharp turn from Jomel Warrican. A few close shaves followed: Amir Jangoo did not get down in time at short-leg to pouch Awais. Next ball, a ripper by Warrican nearly took Shafique’s off-stump along. Soon after, another Awais shot missed Jangoo, but the West Indies fielders could only gasp as Pakistan carried on. It was Shamar who eventually got Awais, inducing an inside-edge that disturbed the stumps with 33 still needed. His first ball to Babar Azam jammed into the Pakistan captain’s thumb. After a quick medical check, he was fine to continue, but looked in discomfort even after, requiring another check a little later. With Warrican getting purchase off the pitch, Shafique diffused any mounting pressure with a slog-sweep for four, his first boundary in 30 balls. Lunch was taken with 18 runs to go, and the duo lapped up the rest of the runs after the break, with Babar ending the chase with a couple of sixes. West Indies began the day on 103/6 but were effectively seven down knowing they would be missing Brandon King due to injury. Justin Greaves, their last recognised batter, strode out alongside Kemar Roach to extend their slender 60-run lead. However, 12 balls into the game, Kemar Roach attempted a wild leg-side swipe and lost his stumps, forcing a big stroke that ultimately failed. Having batted 61 balls in the first innings, and 92 balls combined in the first Test, it was an uncharacteristic rush of blood that gave Pakistan their first wicket of the day before they conceded a run. Shamar Joseph expectedly came out looking for quick runs, hitting Ali Usman for two fours in three balls with his slog-sweeps. Next over, Mohammad Ali put the final nail in: Greaves’s attempt to pull a low delivery did not work, and he crumpled to the ground as the ball rattled his stumps. Usman wrapped up the innings by accounting for Shamar, who tried another slog-sweep, but only managed to balloon it in the air for Mohammad Rizwan to pouch. It was their third-lowest Test total against Pakistan, scoring 117. As a result, Usman and Sajid Khan became the first Pakistani spin duo in 50 years to score four wickets in the same innings in the Caribbean. The defeat prolonged the West Indies' long wait, as they have not won a Test series against Pakistan since 2000.