Pakistan recovers against West Indies in first Tes...

By Rohan Gupta — 27 July 2026 — 3 min read

Pakistan’s strong reply on Day 2

On Day 2 of the first Test between West Indies and Pakistan, Pakistan reached 199/3 in response to the West Indies’ first-innings total of 311. Former captain Shan Masood played a key role in the recovery, scoring an unbeaten 88. He was supported by Imam-ul-Haq, who contributed 63 runs, as the pair established a 155-run partnership.

Pakistan faced an early setback when Azan Awais was dismissed by Kemar Roach. However, Masood and Imam stabilised the innings with their batting. Masood achieved his half-century in 46 balls, while Imam reached his 11th Test fifty before his dismissal. New captain Babar Azam added 23 runs before falling late in the day. Salman Agha remained unbeaten alongside Masood when bad light ended play early.

West Indies’ first innings and bowling efforts

The West Indies were bowled out for 311 after resuming Day 2 at 194/3. Shai Hope was the top scorer for the West Indies with 92 runs, narrowly missing a century. Kavem Hodge also made a significant contribution with 84 runs. Hope maintained the innings despite regular fall of wickets, receiving support from Shamar Joseph, who scored a quick 23.

Pakistan’s bowlers managed to contain the West Indies after their initial strong start. Mohammad Ali secured four wickets, and Mohammad Abbas claimed three wickets, making an immediate impact with the second new ball. Khurram Shahzad also took an early wicket, dismissing Hodge, which helped Pakistan conclude the innings before their batters took control.

Day 1 highlights and team details

On the rain-affected first day, Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten 83 guided the West Indies to 194/3 against Pakistan at stumps. Only 67 overs were bowled due to bad light. Hodge batted through all three sessions, including a truncated first session where only 14.1 overs were bowled and 23 runs scored. He came to the crease in the ninth over after Mohammad Abbas bowled Brandon King for 12 runs.

After lunch, Hodge faced a pitch affected by rain and remained steadfast as the West Indies added 104 runs for the loss of two wickets in 28.5 overs. He then added 67 runs in 24 overs during the shortened final session. Hodge survived an appeal for lbw, which was overturned by television officials. He shared an unbroken 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Shai Hope, who was 39 not out at the close of play on Day 1.

Abbas finished Day 1 with figures of 2-44 from 19 overs. Left-arm spinner Usman Ali made his Test debut. West Indies captain Roston Chase chose to bat after winning the toss. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo both scored 21 runs before being dismissed in the second session. Chanderpaul fell to Aamer Jamal, who returned to the Pakistan Test side after an 18-month absence, and Jangoo was trapped lbw by Abbas. Hodge reached his fourth half-century in Tests from 86 balls, including eight fours. Hope provided support, facing 91 balls by stumps.

Babar Azam has returned to lead Pakistan after Shan Masood stepped down from the captaincy. Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the series due to a lower back injury. Imam-ul-Haq, who missed the previous series, opened with Azan Awais. The West Indies selected three fast bowlers: Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales, with Jomel Warrican as the specialist spinner. The teams are currently at the bottom of the World Test Championship with one win each. Players and officials observed a minute of silence and wore black armbands in memory of Garfield Sobers at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.