Spinners Dominate as Pakistan Seize Control After Dramatic Day Three Collapses

Pakistan gained the upper hand in the second Test against West Indies after an action-packed third day at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where spin bowlers dictated the contest and 14 wickets tumbled. Despite a remarkable unbeaten 160 from Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan were bowled out for 387, securing a slim first-innings lead of 43 runs. By stumps, West Indies had collapsed to 103/6 in their second innings, leading by only 60 runs with four wickets remaining.

The visitors resumed the day at 266/2 but suffered an early setback when captain Babar Azam was run out for 88 after attempting a risky single. The dismissal proved costly, and West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican quickly capitalized, removing Awais Zafar and Salman Agha in quick succession. Mohammad Rizwan’s brief stay ended when Warrican trapped him with a clever arm ball, leaving Pakistan struggling at 311/6.

Abdullah Shafique, however, continued his outstanding innings with immense patience and composure. He found valuable support from Sajid Khan, who contributed a fighting 30 during an important 59-run partnership that steadied Pakistan’s innings. Shafique reached the 150-run milestone with confident strokeplay against the spinners, but once Sajid departed, Warrican ripped through the lower order. The left-arm spinner finished with superb figures of 6/112, although Shafique remained unbeaten after carrying his bat through the innings.

West Indies made a positive start to their second innings as Kavem Hodge and Tagenarine Chanderpaul reduced the deficit steadily. However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam introduced spin at the perfect moment, and the decision transformed the match.

Sajid Khan struck immediately by dismissing Chanderpaul before removing Amir Jangoo with another excellent delivery. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman joined the party by trapping Hodge leg-before following a successful review. Shai Hope and Roston Chase attempted to rebuild cautiously, but Pakistan’s spinners maintained relentless pressure on the turning surface. Sajid produced a delivery that stayed low to dismiss Hope before removing nightwatchman Jayden Seales. Chase then gifted a simple return catch to Usman just before stumps.

West Indies slumped dramatically from 99/3 to 103/6, leaving Pakistan firmly in control heading into Day Four. With Brandon King unavailable due to a back injury and only Justin Greaves remaining among the recognized batters, the hosts face an uphill battle. Pakistan will now look to wrap up the remaining wickets quickly and chase what is expected to be a modest fourth-innings target.