Pakistan captain Shan Masood led a strong batting response against the West Indies on the second day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, guiding his team to 199 for three at stumps after the hosts were bowled out for 311 in their first innings. Masood’s unbeaten 88 and Imam-ul-Haq’s composed 63 helped Pakistan gain momentum after an early setback. The day largely belonged to Pakistan as their bowlers recovered from an inconsistent opening day to restrict the West Indies lower order.

Mohammad Ali was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four wickets as Pakistan’s seam attack successfully wrapped up the home side’s innings after they resumed at their overnight score of 194 for three. After taking control with the ball, Pakistan’s batters produced a confident reply. Opener Azan Awais fell early to Kemar Roach, but Masood and Imam combined to stabilise the innings with a crucial 155-run partnership for the second wicket. The left-handed pair attacked the West Indies bowling attack effectively, taking advantage of inconsistent lines and lengths from the hosts’ pacers.

Masood, who was removed as Pakistan’s Test captain following a 2-0 series defeat against Bangladesh in May, played an assured innings under pressure. The 36-year-old benefited from some early fortune but capitalised on the opportunities, displaying controlled stroke play throughout his knock. He remained unbeaten on 88 from 137 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries in an impressive display. Imam-ul-Haq also played an important role in Pakistan’s recovery, scoring 63 and providing valuable support during the lengthy second-wicket stand.

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The partnership came at a rapid pace, close to a run-a-ball, as both batters handled the challenging conditions and put pressure back on the West Indies bowlers. The home side struggled to maintain discipline with the ball during a hot afternoon session, allowing Pakistan’s batters to settle in. Their inability to consistently find the right areas gave Masood and Imam opportunities to rotate the strike and score freely, putting Pakistan in a strong position by the end of the day.

Despite the positive progress, Pakistan still trail the West Indies’ first-innings total of 311 by 112 runs with seven wickets remaining. The visitors will look to build a substantial first-innings lead when play resumes, with Masood aiming to convert his unbeaten half-century into a significant hundred. For the West Indies, early wickets on the third day will be crucial as they attempt to prevent Pakistan from taking control of the match.

The hosts will hope their bowlers can find greater consistency and put pressure on Pakistan’s middle order after struggling to contain the visitors’ left-handed batters. The first Test has already seen momentum shift between both teams, with West Indies initially holding the advantage before Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and strong batting response changed the complexion of the contest. Masood’s leadership and batting performance have placed Pakistan in a promising position heading into the next stage of the match.

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