Sports
Masterclass in Trinidad: Pakistan Takes Command in Second Test Against West Indies Following Shafique's Brilliant Century
A towering, unbroken 168-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam dismantles the Caribbean bowling attack, leaving the tourists firmly in control at Queen's Park Oval.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Aug 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Pakistan has spectacularly flipped the momentum of the Caribbean tour. Driven by an elegant, unbeaten 107 from Abdullah Shafique and a commanding 86 from captain Babar Azam, the tourists dominated Day 2 of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad, closing the day at a commanding 266-2 and trailing the West Indies by just 78 runs.
In the unpredictable theater of Test cricket, momentum can shift in the space of a single session. For the Pakistan national team, that monumental shift arrived on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the iconic Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Erasing the bitter memory of their 90-run collapse in the opening match of the series, the tourists delivered a batting clinic, ending the day on 266-2 and asserting absolute dominance over the Caribbean hosts. The architectural foundation of Pakistan’s commanding position was built by Abdullah Shafique. Recalled to the squad as a late replacement following a finger injury to Shan Masood, the 26-year-old opener grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Displaying immense patience, technical purity, and decisive footwork against the turning ball, Shafique crafted a majestic, unbeaten 107 off 185 deliveries. His innings, decorated with 10 exquisite boundaries and two towering sixes, marked his sixth Test century and served as a masterclass in exploiting favorable batting conditions. At the other end of the 22-yard strip stood captain Babar Azam, who silenced his recent critics with an innings of supreme calm and authority. Babar, who was the solitary source of resistance in the first Test, matched Shafique’s grace, stroking his way to an unbeaten 86 from 126 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six. Together, the duo constructed an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 168 runs, methodically dismantling the West…