Sajid, Ali Usman leave West Indies reeling as Pakistan seize control of second Test

Pakistan moved within touching distance of levelling the two-match Test series after their spinners ripped through the West Indies batting line-up on day three of the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

Sajid Khan and Ali Usman shared six wickets as the tourists reduced West Indies to 103 for six in their second innings by stumps on Tuesday, leaving the hosts with an overall lead of just 60 runs and only four wickets in hand. Justin Greaves remained unbeaten on one, but Pakistan will return on the fourth morning sensing an opportunity to wrap up the innings quickly and set themselves a modest target.

How did Pakistan build a crucial first-innings advantage?

Earlier, Pakistan had recovered from a middle-order wobble to post 387 in their first innings, earning a valuable 43-run lead thanks to a marathon unbeaten knock from Abdullah Shafique.

Why was Abdullah Shafique’s innings the foundation of Pakistan’s dominance?

Resuming the day at 266 for two, Pakistan were in an excellent position with Abdullah and captain Babar Azam firmly in control after their record-building partnership on day two.

The pair looked set to bat West Indies out of the contest before misfortune struck. Babar, who had resumed on 86, was run out for 88 after Brandon King produced a direct hit. His composed 147-ball stay, featuring 10 fours and a six, ended a superb 183-run stand that had rescued Pakistan after the early loss of two wickets.

West Indies immediately sensed an opening.

Debutant Awais Zafar was bowled by Jomel Warrican for one before Salman Ali Agha departed without scoring after being trapped leg-before by Shamar Joseph. Mohammad Rizwan briefly counter-attacked with three boundaries but fell for 18 when Warrican breached his defence.

Pakistan had suddenly slipped from complete control into a period of uncertainty. Yet Abdullah refused to allow the innings to unravel.

Displaying remarkable patience and discipline, the opener absorbed the pressure while continuing to score whenever opportunities appeared. He found a reliable partner in Sajid Khan, whose gritty 30 from 72 deliveries proved far more valuable than the score suggested.

Their 59-run partnership pushed Pakistan beyond West Indies’ first-innings total of 344 and ensured the visitors entered the second innings with momentum firmly on their side.

Abdullah crowned a magnificent performance by reaching 150 in style, dancing down the track to loft Kavem Hodge for a six. He eventually finished unbeaten on 160 from 323 balls, striking 15 fours and three sixes in an innings defined by concentration, endurance and impeccable shot selection.

Although Warrican completed a six-wicket haul by taking the final three wickets in the space of four deliveries, Abdullah’s marathon effort had already given Pakistan the upper hand.

How did Pakistan’s spinners turn the match in a single session?

West Indies began their second innings positively, racing to 40 without loss and quickly wiping out most of Pakistan’s first-innings lead.

At that stage, the contest appeared evenly balanced.

Everything changed once Pakistan introduced their spinners.

Sajid provided the breakthrough by trapping Tagenarine Chanderpaul leg-before for 17. The opener reviewed the decision, but umpire’s call meant the original verdict stood.

The off-spinner struck again with a beautifully turning delivery that bowled Amir Jangoo for 13, immediately shifting the pressure onto the hosts.

Ali Usman soon joined the attack in spectacular fashion. His arm ball deceived Kavem Hodge, who was trapped in front after Pakistan successfully reviewed the on-field decision.

West Indies captain Roston Chase and Shai Hope attempted to steady the innings, but Pakistan’s spinners gave away almost nothing. Their accuracy, control and relentless discipline steadily tightened the screws.

Sajid eventually broke the stand by dismissing Hope leg-before for 15 before removing night-watchman Jayden Seales for a two-ball duck with another delivery that struck in front of the stumps.

Can West Indies still fight back from here?

Pakistan completed a dominant final session when Ali Usman dismissed Chase with the final ball of the day. The West Indies captain chipped a simple return catch back to the left-arm spinner after scoring 17 from 45 deliveries, leaving the hosts six wickets down and under immense pressure.

Sajid finished with outstanding figures of four for 32 from 12 overs, taking his match tally to eight wickets, while Ali Usman returned two for 29 from 16.5 overs at an exceptional economy rate of just 1.72.

With only a 60-run lead remaining, West Indies will need a significant lower-order contribution to keep their hopes alive. Pakistan, meanwhile, require just four more wickets to complete a remarkable turnaround and give themselves an excellent chance of drawing level in the series.