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Pakistan Pacers Trigger West Indies Collapse as Masood, Imam Put Visitors in Command on Day 2

Morning Mayhem: Khurram Shahzad Strikes with the First BallThe day began with West Indies in a strong position, Kavem Hodge unbeaten on 83 and Shai Hope on 39. But Pakistan had other plans. Khurram Shahzad, bowling with impeccable rhythm, struck with the very first delivery of the day, finding Hodge's outside edge as the batsman added just one run to his overnight score. The catch was safely pouched by Salman Ali Agha at second slip, ending a 91-run fourth-wicket stand that had steadied the West Indies innings .Hodge's patient innings of 84 off 183 balls had anchored the West Indies first innings, but his dismissal opened the floodgates. The hosts, who had threatened to post a substantial total, suddenly found themselves on the back foot as Pakistan's seamers extracted excellent swing from the old ball .Mohammad Ali's Career-Best 4/50 Dismantles West Indies Lower OrderThe star of the bowling performance was fast bowler Mohammad Ali, who produced a career-best display with figures of 4 for 50 from 21.5 overs . Ali, who has been a consistent performer in Pakistan's domestic circuit, showcased his ability to bowl disciplined lines and lengths, making full use of the assistance available from the Tarouba surface.After Shahzad's early breakthrough, Justin Greaves and Shai Hope attempted to rebuild the innings. Greaves struck three boundaries before Ali induced an outside edge from a delivery that swung away from the right-hander, dismissing him for 15 . At 231 for 5, the hosts were still in a position to push towards 350, but Ali had other plans.The right-arm pacer returned after lunch to deliver the knockout blows. First, he dismissed the aggressive Shamar Joseph for 23, caught behind. Then came the most significant wicket of the day—that of Shai Hope, who had anchored the innings with a gritty 92 off 182 balls. Ali trapped the right-hander LBW, ending Hope's resistance just eight runs short of what would have been his sixth Test century .Ali completed his spell by bowling Jayden Seales for a duck, wrapping up the West Indies innings for 311 in 98.5 overs . His ability to maintain pressure and strike at crucial moments proved decisive in restricting the hosts after they had threatened to post a significantly larger total.Mohammad Abbas Provides Crucial Support with 3-Wicket HaulVeteran seamer Mohammad Abbas, who has been recalled to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming England series, provided excellent support to Ali, finishing with figures of 3 for 63 from his 26 overs . Abbas, who has built a reputation for his immaculate control and ability to extract movement even on unresponsive surfaces, was held back by captain Babar Azam until Pakistan took the new ball.The strategy paid off handsomely. Abbas struck immediately, dismissing West Indies captain Roston Chase caught behind for 10 . Chase, who had entered the match with a finger injury, had managed a brief partnership with Hope, but Abbas's accuracy proved too good for him.The veteran seamer's performance was a reminder of his enduring quality, and it continues his strong form ahead of Pakistan's three-Test series in England later this year . His ability to provide crucial breakthroughs at key moments was instrumental in Pakistan's fightback.Shai Hope's Gritty 92 Anchors West Indies InningsDespite the collapse around him, Shai Hope's innings was a masterclass in determination and technique. The experienced right-hander, who resumed on 39, went on to reach his seventh Test half-century from 113 balls . He held the innings together with a composed knock that featured six fours and a six, showing the kind of patience that has made him one of the most reliable batters in the West Indies lineup.Hope was dropped on 51 by Azan Awais at first slip, a miss that could have proved costly as he went on to marshal the lower order effectively . He shared quick partnerships with Justin Greaves (15), Roston Chase (10), and Shamar Joseph (23), ensuring West Indies crossed the 300-run mark.His dismissal by Mohammad Ali after lunch was the turning point of the innings. Hope's departure left the tail exposed, and Pakistan's bowlers capitalized ruthlessly, taking the remaining wickets for just a handful of runs. But for Hope's resistance, West Indies could have been bowled out for a much smaller total.Shamar Joseph's Late Counterattack Powers West Indies Past 300Shamar Joseph provided late fireworks with a rapid 23 off just 12 balls, smashing four boundaries and a towering six over long-on off Mohammad Abbas . His counterattack helped West Indies cross the 300-run mark before Mohammad Ali dismissed him with a short ball shortly after lunch.Joseph's cameo was a reminder of his lower-order capabilities, which have been a valuable asset for West Indies in recent times. His ability to score quick runs at the end of the innings added crucial runs to the total, and his wicket was one of the key moments in Pakistan's fightback .Pakistan's Reply: Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq Dominate with 155-Run PartnershipPakistan's reply began with a setback when veteran pacer Kemar Roach bowled opener Azan Awais for a nine-ball duck with a superb delivery that uprooted the stumps . The early loss brought Imam-ul-Haq to the crease to join captain Shan Masood, and what followed was a masterclass in Test batting.Shan Masood, playing his first Test since being relieved of the captaincy after the series loss in Bangladesh in May, produced a fluent and aggressive innings. He survived an early scare when he was almost bowled on the very first ball, and a few edges also went for boundaries . But after that initial struggle, Masood found his rhythm and dominated the West Indies attack.He reached his half-century from just 46 balls , showcasing his aggressive intent and excellent timing. He was also dropped in the slips and survived an LBW verdict through review, but he capitalized on those chances to build a big partnership .Imam-ul-Haq played the perfect supporting role, scoring a gritty 63 off 102 deliveries with seven fours to register his 11th Test half-century . The left-handed opener showed remarkable patience, absorbing the pressure and rotating the strike effectively. The pair added 155 runs for the second wicket, taking Pakistan from a precarious 5 for 1 to 160 for 2.Babar Azam Scores 23 on Return as Pakistan CaptainBabar Azam, re-appointed as Test captain for this series, made a composed 23 off 38 balls before being dismissed by Jayden Seales, caught behind by the wicketkeeper . He had joined Masood in a 41-run partnership for the third wicket, but fell near stumps, leaving Masood to anchor the innings.While Babar's innings was not a major one, it showed signs of the stability he brings to the middle order. His dismissal, however, was a reminder that Pakistan's batting line-up remains vulnerable to collapses, a concern that head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has previously identified as a key area for improvement .West Indies Bowling Lacks Bite After Captain Roston Chase's InjuryWest Indies captain Roston Chase entered the match with a finger injury and did not bowl during Pakistan's innings . His absence left the hosts without their premier spin option, as Jomel Warrican failed to provide the necessary control against the left-handed Pakistan pair.The lack of bowling depth was evident as Pakistan's openers dominated the attack. Kemar Roach bowled with pace and aggression, but he lacked support from the other end. The West Indies bowlers failed to establish any consistency in line and length, paying a heavy price as Masood and Imam made merry in the blistering sunshine .Chase's injury could be a significant factor as the match progresses. If he is unable to bowl in the second innings, West Indies will be severely handicapped, especially on a surface that is expected to deteriorate and offer increasing assistance to the spinners.Day 3 Prospects: Pakistan in CommandAt stumps on Day 2, Pakistan were 199 for 3, trailing by just 112 runs with 7 wickets remaining. Shan Masood is unbeaten on 88, just 12 runs away from a maiden Test century, and is well-set to lead Pakistan's charge on Day 3 .The pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is expected to continue offering assistance to the seamers, with the surface showing signs of deterioration. Pakistan, with their disciplined pace attack, will be confident of taking a significant first-innings lead. However, the West Indies bowlers, led by Jayden Seales, who has a history of delivering crucial spells, will be looking to make early inroads and trigger a Pakistani collapse .The third day promises to be a decisive phase in the opening Test, with Pakistan well-positioned to take control of the match. The visitors will be looking to build a substantial lead, while West Indies will need early breakthroughs to stay in the contest. With the series on the line, the stage is set for a thrilling day of Test cricket.