PORT OF SPAIN - Pakistan’s resilient opener Abdullah Shafique produced a magnificent unbeaten century to keep his side firmly in contention despite a dramatic middle-order collapse, steering the visitors to within touching distance of West Indies’ first-innings total on the third day of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, on Tuesday.

At lunch, Pakistan had reached 333-6 in 95 overs, trailing West Indies by just 11 runs, with Shafique unbeaten on a superb 132 and all-rounder Sajid Khan providing valuable support on 16 not out. The pair’s composed unbeaten stand ensured Pakistan remained well placed to secure a crucial first-innings lead.

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Resuming the day at 266-2, Pakistan looked comfortably positioned thanks to the overnight partnership between captain Babar Azam and Shafique. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when a costly mix-up ended Babar’s promising innings. Attempting a quick single, Babar was caught well short of his ground by Brandon King’s sharp direct hit, bringing an end to an impressive knock of 88 off 147 deliveries, featuring 10 boundaries and one six. The dismissal not only denied the Pakistan captain a long-awaited Test century but also sparked another familiar batting collapse.

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The visitors quickly slipped from 281-3 to 286-5 as debutant Awais Zafar charged recklessly at left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican and was bowled for one, before fast bowler Shamar Joseph trapped Salman Ali Agha leg-before without scoring just six deliveries later.

With Pakistan under pressure, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan attempted to rebuild alongside the in-form Shafique. Their partnership added a useful 25 runs, taking Pakistan beyond the 300-run mark before Warrican struck again, bowling Rizwan for 18 after a delivery stayed unexpectedly low.

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Shafique, however, remained unshaken. Displaying remarkable patience, composure and shot selection, the elegant right-hander continued to frustrate the West Indies attack while completing a memorable century that underlined his growing stature in Pakistan’s Test batting line-up. Sajid Khan also played positively, striking three boundaries during his unbeaten stay as the seventh-wicket pair frustrated the hosts with an unbroken 22-run partnership heading into lunch.

For West Indies, Warrican remained the standout performer with 3-103, while Joseph claimed 2-68, but Pakistan entered the break needing only 12 more runs to erase the deficit and seize control of the match.

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PAKISTAN (1ST INNINGS, LUNCH DAY 3) 333-6 in 95 overs (Abdullah Shafique 132*, Babar Azam 88; Jomel Warrican 3-103, Shamar Joseph 2-68) trail WEST INDIES (1ST INNINGS) 344 all out by 11 runs.