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Pakistan Poised to Level Test Series After Shafique Marathon and Spin Revival

A turning Queen’s Park Oval pitch has handed the visitors the edge and left West Indies six down at stumps, putting Pakistan within sight of victory.

Overview

  • Pakistan took a 43-run first-innings lead after Abdullah Shafique carried the tourists with a marathon unbeaten 160, a knock that anchored a recovery on Tuesday and kept Pakistan in control despite late wickets.
  • West Indies fought back earlier in the day when left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican ripped through Pakistan’s lower order with six for 112, including three wickets in four balls, to deny a bigger lead.
  • In the hosts’ second innings Pakistan’s off-spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm spinner Ali Usman reduced West Indies to 103 for six at stumps, with Sajid claiming four second-innings wickets to shift momentum to the visitors.
  • The match has featured consequential off-field choices and fitness issues as Pakistan omitted Mohammad Abbas and handed a debut to Ubaid Shah, while Brandon King was stretchered off with back spasms after his direct hit run-out of Babar Azam and Justin Greaves has a thigh concern.
  • If Pakistan take the remaining four wickets on Wednesday they will level the two-Test series and collect World Test Championship points, a result that would mark a rare away win and deepen questions about West Indies’ batting depth and Pakistan’s selection choices.