Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test: Can Pakistan Hold On After Shafique’s 160?

Pakistan are 60 runs ahead, but the match is still wide open. That is the simple reason cricket fans are watching every ball of the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain today, August 5, 2026. Pakistan made 387 in their first innings, led by a superb 160 from Abdullah Shafique. West Indies then reached 103 for 6 in their second innings, leaving Pakistan with a narrow lead and a very tense finish ahead.

This is not a match with one clear winner yet. The pitch has started to help spin, the West Indies middle order is under pressure, and Pakistan know that a target around 200 can still be dangerous in a Test match. Here is what happened, what the score means, and what could decide the final day.

Abdullah Shafique’s long innings has put Pakistan in front, but the Test is far from over.

Pakistan vs West Indies 2nd Test score: what is happening?

The match began with West Indies making 344 in their first innings. Justin Greaves helped them with 64, while Pakistan’s spinners kept taking important wickets. Sajid Khan was the main threat. He finished with 4 wickets for 32 runs, a key spell that stopped West Indies from building an even bigger total.

Pakistan answered with 387. That gave them a first-innings lead of 43 runs. The biggest contribution came from Abdullah Shafique, who made 160. It was the kind of innings Test teams need when the match is moving slowly and every run matters. Shafique stayed patient, defended well, and punished loose balls when they came.

At the latest reported position, West Indies were 103 for 6 in the second innings. That means Pakistan lead by 60 runs. The exact target will depend on the final West Indies wickets. If Pakistan finish the innings quickly, the chase could be close to 150 or 200. If West Indies add another 80 or 100 runs, the game could turn sharply back toward the home side.

The key numbers so far: West Indies 344 and 103/6; Pakistan 387, with Pakistan 60 runs ahead.

Watch the Pakistan vs West Indies Test highlights

Abdullah Shafique’s big innings and Sajid Khan’s four-wicket spell shaped the third day. Watch the available match highlights below, then come back for the main lessons from the scorecard.

How Abdullah Shafique’s 160 changed the match

A Test century is not only about the number beside a batter’s name. It changes the time pressure on the other team. When Shafique passed 100, Pakistan had already made West Indies bowl for a long time. Every extra hour made the fielders work harder and gave Pakistan more control over the match.

His 160 was especially important because Pakistan did not have a huge first-innings advantage. A lead of 43 runs looks small on paper. But in Port of Spain, where the pitch is beginning to offer help to spinners, even a lead of 30 or 40 can matter. It means the chasing team has less room for mistakes.

Shafique also gave Pakistan a calm centre. Test matches often swing when a team loses two or three wickets quickly. His long stay stopped that from happening and allowed Pakistan to build a total that West Indies had to respect.

Why Sajid Khan’s bowling could decide the result

Sajid Khan’s 4 for 32 is one of the clearest match-winning contributions so far. The West Indies first innings ended at 344 partly because Pakistan kept breaking partnerships. Sajid did not need to bowl fast or produce a flashy delivery every over. He kept asking questions, changed his pace, and waited for batters to make mistakes.

That skill matters even more in the fourth innings, when Pakistan will bowl again to protect a target. A spinner can attack both edges of the bat. He can also make the batters think about the rough parts of the pitch and the changing bounce. If Sajid gets the older ball to grip, Pakistan may not need a very large target.

But spin bowling is not magic. The field must be sharp. Pakistan cannot give away easy singles, because those runs reduce the pressure on the West Indies batters. The captain will need to balance attacking fields with protection for boundaries.

Pakistan’s spin attack has become more dangerous as the Port of Spain pitch has slowed down.

Can West Indies still win this Test match?

Yes. A 60-run deficit is uncomfortable, but it is not a lost position. West Indies still have wickets left, and one strong partnership can change the target. If the lower order adds 70 runs, Pakistan may need around 130 to win. That chase would still be difficult if the ball turns and the pressure rises.

The home team also knows the conditions better. Caribbean pitches can look calm for long periods and then produce sudden trouble. A batter who settles in may score freely, but a new batter can find the same pitch much harder. West Indies will want one player to stay in for a long time and make Pakistan bowl at the tail.

The danger for West Indies is that they are already six wickets down. Every new wicket increases the chance of a small total. If Pakistan take the last four wickets for 40 or 50 runs, the visitors will become clear favourites. That is why the first hour of play is so important.

Pakistan’s biggest problem: winning the final innings

Pakistan have done many things well, but a Test match is won in the final innings. Their batters must chase whatever target West Indies set without panic. A target of 170 can feel like 300 when wickets fall early.

The opening batters will have a major job. They must survive the new ball, leave deliveries outside off stump, and avoid playing big shots too soon. Pakistan do not need to win the chase in a hurry. They need to make West Indies feel that every wicket will cost a lot.

Babar Azam’s experience could also matter. He made 88 in Pakistan’s first innings, and his ability to control the tempo will be useful if the chase becomes tense. The middle order must not depend on one player, though. In a small chase, everyone needs to contribute a few important runs.

Supporters at Queen’s Park Oval have watched a tense Test swing between both teams.

What happened in the first Test?

This series was already leaning toward West Indies before the second match began. West Indies won the first Test by 90 runs, so Pakistan needed a much better performance in Port of Spain to level the two-match series. That earlier result makes the current match more important for Pakistan. A draw would mean West Indies keep the series, while a win would give Pakistan a chance to finish level.

The first Test also showed why Pakistan cannot relax. West Indies bowled with patience, created pressure, and took advantage when Pakistan’s batters made errors. The second Test has been better for Pakistan because Shafique produced a huge score and the spinners kept control. But the same basic lesson remains: one bad session can change everything.

Common mistakes people make when reading a Test score

Mistake 1: Treating a 60-run lead like a finished result. In Test cricket, 60 runs is a useful advantage, not a guarantee. The final target depends on the last four West Indies wickets.

Mistake 2: Looking only at the top scorer. Shafique’s 160 is huge, but Sajid’s 4 for 32 may be just as important. Partnerships, dropped catches, and bowling spells often decide a match more than one big innings.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the pitch can change. A pitch that was good for batting on day two may become slower and harder on day five. The same target can feel very different later in the game.

Mistake 4: Assuming home advantage guarantees a win. West Indies know the ground, but Pakistan have already shown that their spin attack can create pressure there.

Mistake 5: Ignoring time and weather. A few lost overs can make a draw more likely. Rain, slow over rates, and long reviews all matter when a match is moving toward its final day.

What this match means beyond the scorecard

This Test is bigger than one result because it shows where Pakistan’s red-ball cricket may be heading. The team has often been known for fast bowlers and exciting white-ball players. In Port of Spain, the story has been different. A patient opener made a giant score, a spinner took control, and the team built pressure over several days.

That style is not always as loud as a six in a T20 match, but it is valuable. Pakistan need players who can stay focused for five days, defend when required, and still attack at the right moment. Shafique’s 160 is a strong example of that balance.

For West Indies, the match is another test of their batting depth. They have talented players, but losing wickets in groups has made the game harder. A home team needs more than one good partnership. It needs a plan for surviving pressure when the pitch becomes difficult.

Three things to watch in the next session

1. The first 30 runs. If West Indies add only a few runs and lose wickets, Pakistan will have a small chase. If the home side reaches 150 or more, the match becomes much less predictable.

2. Sajid Khan against the lower order. Pakistan will attack with spin, but West Indies’ lower order can still frustrate them. A stubborn 30-run stand could be worth more than a stylish half-century earlier in the match.

3. Pakistan’s opening chase. If Pakistan reach 40 or 50 without losing a wicket, their confidence will rise. If they lose two early wickets, West Indies will believe they can defend almost any target.

Long Test innings demand patience, focus, and the courage to keep going when the match turns.

Pakistan vs West Indies Test prediction: who has the edge?

Pakistan have the edge right now because they lead by 60 runs and West Indies have only four wickets left. The visitors also have the confidence of Shafique’s 160 and Sajid’s strong bowling. But the edge is small, not overwhelming.

My simple prediction is this: if Pakistan dismiss West Indies for less than 180, Pakistan should be favourites. If West Indies build the lead beyond 220, the home team may have the better chance. A target between 180 and 210 could produce a very close finish, especially if the pitch continues to help spin.

That uncertainty is why this is a good Test match. There is no easy answer yet. Both teams have a clear path to victory, and both teams also have a clear way to lose.

What do you think? Vote below:

Will Pakistan win the second Test, will West Indies fight back, or will time force a draw?

Final thoughts

Pakistan have earned the right to believe, but they have not earned the right to relax. Shafique’s 160 gave them the platform. Sajid Khan’s 4 for 32 gave them control. Now the bowlers must finish the job, and the batters must handle a chase that could be much harder than the number suggests.

For West Indies, the next few wickets could save the match or turn it into a Pakistan victory. For fans, that means the final stage of this Test has everything: a small lead, a turning pitch, tired players, and a series that Pakistan must win if they want to level it.

Follow the live score before sharing updates, because this match is still moving. In Test cricket, the story is not over until the final wicket falls—or the final ball is bowled.