Pakistan cricket has produced the kind of Test match moment that stays with fans for years. Abdullah Shafique’s unbeaten 160 has put Pakistan firmly in control of the second Test against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval, while Sajid Khan’s four-wicket burst left the hosts struggling at 103/6 by the close of Day 3.
The performance matters beyond the immediate match situation. Shafique became the first Pakistan batter since Majid Khan in 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test against West Indies in the Caribbean. With Pakistan trying to level the two-match series after losing the opening Test by 90 runs, this could be the innings that changes the entire tour.
Abdullah Shafique breaks a 49-year Pakistan record
Shafique finished unbeaten on 160, having faced the West Indies attack with impressive patience and control. His innings included 15 fours and three sixes, and it helped Pakistan reach 387 before taking a first-innings lead of 43 runs.
According to the ICC, he is only the fifth Pakistan batter to pass 150 in a Test played in the Caribbean. The names ahead of him underline the significance of the achievement: Hanif Mohammad made 337 in 1958, Wazir Mohammad scored 189 in the same year, Majid Khan made 167 in 1977, and Saeed Ahmed reached 150 in 1958.
That list places Shafique in some serious company. More importantly, his knock came when Pakistan needed a response. Their batting had to absorb pressure, build a lead and give the bowlers enough time to attack. Shafique delivered all three.
Sajid Khan’s four wickets turn the match Pakistan’s way
Pakistan’s advantage became even stronger in the final session. Sajid Khan claimed four wickets as West Indies slipped to 103/6 at stumps. The hosts now face a difficult fourth day, with Pakistan needing only four more wickets to complete a rare away Test win.
Jomel Warrican was the main positive for West Indies with 6/112. His spell kept the home side in the contest and stopped Pakistan from building an even larger total. But the pressure created by Shafique’s score and Pakistan’s spin attack eventually became too much for the West Indies batting order.
Brandon King injury adds to West Indies’ problems
West Indies also had to deal with a worrying injury update. Opener Brandon King did not return to the field because of lower-back muscle spasms. The team said he was being monitored by the medical staff and would not take part for the remainder of the day.
King’s availability could be crucial on Day 4. If West Indies are forced into a demanding run chase, losing an established opener would make an already difficult situation even tougher. The medical assessment will be followed closely before play resumes at Port of Spain.
What Pakistan need to finish the job
Pakistan’s immediate target is straightforward: take the remaining four wickets and avoid allowing West Indies to build a lead that creates unnecessary pressure. The pitch is offering enough assistance for spin, but the visiting bowlers must stay disciplined and avoid giving the lower order easy scoring opportunities.
West Indies, meanwhile, still have a route back into the match. Justin Greaves was unbeaten at the close, and a determined partnership on the fourth morning could force Pakistan to work for the win. West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul suggested that a lead of around 150 might give his side a chance, so the first session could decide the contest.
The opening Test went West Indies’ way, but Pakistan have shown a much sharper response in Trinidad. Shafique’s historic batting, Babar Azam’s support during the middle part of the innings and Sajid’s decisive spell have combined to put the visitors in the driving seat.
Why this result matters in the World Test Championship
This match is part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, so the result carries importance beyond the series scoreline. An away victory would give Pakistan valuable points and confidence after a long wait for a Test win outside home conditions.
For Shafique, the unbeaten 160 is also a timely reminder of his ability to play a long, high-impact innings. For Pakistan, it is an example of the complete Test performance they have been searching for: a major contribution from the top order followed by sustained pressure with the ball.
Will Pakistan finish the job on Day 4, or can West Indies produce one more fightback at Queen’s Park Oval? Share your prediction in the comments, and tell us whether Abdullah Shafique’s 160 is the turning point of Pakistan’s Caribbean tour.
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