PORT-OF-SPAIN: Pakistan captain Babar Azam was denied his first Test century in four years as West Indies fought back in the second and final Test here at the Queen’s Park Oval on Tuesday.

Right-handed Babar, who last scored a Test century in December 2022 against New Zealand at Karachi, was run out for 88 by Brandon King’s stunning direct throw from short cover before Pakistan’s middle order collapsed and reached 333-6 at lunch on third day.

Pakistan still trailed by 11 runs with Abdullah Shafique holding the fort at 132 not out and Sajid Khan unbeaten on 16.

King picked up a lower back injury and had to be stretchered off after he fell awkwardly as his sharp throw ran out Babar at the striker’s end when Abdullah refused to go for a tight single and Babar couldn’t recover his ground after running halfway to the wicket. West Indies dried up runs through some disciplined bowling from Jomel Warrican and Jayden Seales after Pakistan resumed at 266-2.

Babar and Abdullah, who rotated strike well on the second day, stretched their partnership to 183 before West Indies claimed three wickets for five runs.

Warrican was splendid with both the old ball and the second new ball as the left-arm spinner had debutant Awais Zafar (one) clean bowled when the batter came out of his crease for a big shot but completely missed the line of the ball.

Shamar Joseph then trapped Salman Ali Agha plumb leg before wicket and Warrican claimed his third wicket of the innings after West Indies took the second new ball when Mohammad Rizwan was bowled for 18.

On Monday, Abdullah struck his sixth Test century as Pakistan reached a strong position at stumps.

Just days after flying into the Caribbean as an emergency replacement, Abdullah ended the day unbeaten on 107 off 185 balls with 10 fours and two sixes decorating his impressive innings.

Babar, the only visitor to emerge with any credit from a disastrous second innings of the first Test when he finished unbeaten on 58, was again unbowed on 86.

His calm, classy innings occupied 126 deliveries, embellished by 10 fours and one six.

Putting aside those batting woes of a 90-run loss at the Brian Lara Stadium, Babar and the recalled Abdullah made the most of ideal batting conditions and pleasant weather, gathering runs in style in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 168.

Recalled after Shan Masood’s finger injury, Abdullah looked at ease in the unfamiliar position of number three when he replaced Imam-ul-Haq, who was dismissed by Shamar Joseph. It was his first opportunity since losing his place after the South Africa series at home last October.

He put on 64 attractive runs with Azan Awais, the opener flaying 10 fours in a 71-ball 55 before being adjudged lbw on television review to left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Babar got into stride almost immediately and with the West Indies hampered by the unavailability of first Test match-winner Justin Greaves with a leg injury and captain Roston Chase ineffective with his off-spinners because of a lacerated finger, the tourists’ task was made that bit easier.

Yet nothing could take away from the excellence of Pakistan batters’ strokeplay and the manner in which they dominated an attack that had them on their knees six days earlier when they crashed to 71 for nine, eventually being dismissed for 120 in the last innings of the first Test.

Babar, who continues to face severe criticism for what is seen as a rather passive style of leadership, was in his element with bat in hand though, playing a vital guiding role in ensuring that Abdullah stayed focused.

When Abdullah reached his ton shortly before stumps, pulling a short ball to the midwicket boundary, Babar celebrated warmly with the 26-year-old.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 344 (J. Greaves 73, R. Chase 70; Sajid Khan 4-85)

PAKISTAN (1st Innings, overnight 266-2):

Azan Awais lbw b Warrican55

Imam-ul-Haq c Warrican b Joseph14

Abdullah Shafique not out132

Babar Azam run out88

Awais Zafar b Warrican1

Salman Ali Agha lbw b Joseph0

Mohammad Rizwan b Warrican18

Sajid Khan not out16

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-2, NB-3)9

TOTAL (for six wickets, 95 overs)333

STILL TO BAT: Ali Usman, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Ali

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-34 (Imam), 2-98 (Azan), 3-281 (Babar), 4-283 (Awais), 5-286 (Salman), 6-311 (Rizwan)

BOWLING: Roach 10-1-45-0 (2nb), Seales 16-3-48-0, Warrican 39-6-103-3, Joseph 13-0-68-2, Chase 7-0-22-0 (1nb), Hodge 10-0-41-0

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026