Babar closes in on ton as Pakistan coach feels satisfied

Pakistan assistant coach Asad Shafiq was thrilled with the way his side responded to his urgings on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Trinidad.

Right-hander Abdullah Shafique scored his sixth Test century and skipper Babar Azam (86*) closed in on his first Test hundred in almost four years as Pakistan dominated the second day at Port of Spain as they look to level the two-match series in the Caribbean.

Shafique and Babar put on an unbeaten stand of 168 late in the day at Queen's Park Oval to help Pakistan reach 266/2 at stumps, trailing the West Indies by just 78 runs on the first innings in the ICC World Test Championship contest.

It was just what Pakistan needed after a disappointing first Test from their top six, with Shafiq admitting he was thrilled with the response from the duo as they scored at ease against the West Indies.

“It’s been a very satisfying day for me as batting coach," Shafiq said.

"The way Abdullah and Babar batted, and the partnership they built, was truly remarkable. 

"That’s exactly what we had been missing in the last two or three Test matches. 

"They took responsibility, and seeing that gives me immense satisfaction.”

Shafique wasn't originally named in Pakistan's squad for the series in the Caribbean, with the 26-year-old only earning a reprieve when Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the tour due to a back injury prior to the first Test.

The Pakistan No.3 has already hit 10 fours and two sixes during his unbeaten innings of 107 against the West Indies and Shafiq has been impressed with his ability to choose when to attack the opposition bowlers and when to defend.

“Abdullah has only recently joined the team, but he has been scoring heavily in domestic cricket," Shafiq noted.

"He saw this opportunity and seized it with both hands. 

"The hallmark of his innings was the way he punished the loose deliveries while showing respect to the good ones. That balance really stood out."

And with Babar just 14 runs away from his first Test century since December 2022, Shafiq believes his side is well placed to keep the pressure on the West Indies and move into a dominant position in the match.

“Given the position we’re in, if we bat well tomorrow, we can put ourselves in a commanding position," Shafiq said.

"From there, we’ll be able to dictate the course of the game.”

Series schedule:

First Test: July 25-29, Tarouba
Second Test: August 2-6, Port of Spain