Babar falls as Pakistan struggle in second Test against West Indies

Saud Shakeel, nightwatchman Kashif Ali at crease after top order collapses in pursuit of 254-run target

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AFP
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West Indies´ players celebrate as Pakistan´s Babar Azam walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the first day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on January 25, 2025. — AFP
West Indies´ players celebrate as Pakistan´s Babar Azam walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the first day of the second Test cricket match between Pakistan and West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on January 25, 2025. — AFP

  • Babar Azam scores 31 crucial runs. 
  • Pakistan to continue tomorrow from 76-4. 
  • Sinclair dismisses to Pakistani batters. 


MULTAN: Pakistan lost four early wickets including that of ace batter 
Babar Azam on the second day of the second and last Test against the West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday. 

Babar had walked onto the pitch after skipper Shan Masood fell scoring two runs to Kevin Sinclair. He was left hanging on as opener Kamran Ghulam too fell against Gudakesh Motie after scoring two runs. 

The ace batter added crucial 31 runs and the fans were hoping that Babar would power Pakistan through the target of 254 runs but Sinclair struck again putting a halt to Green Shirts' recovery. 

The day wrapped up with Kamran Ghulam and nightwatchman Kashif Ali on the pitch with scored of 13 and one respectively as Pakistan required 178 more runs for victory. 

West Indian bowler Sinclair took two wickets with Motie and Jomel Warrican dismissing one batter each. 

Earlier, the West Indies batted with guts and aggression against Pakistan to set the hosts a target of 254 to win the Test.

Skipper and opener Kraigg Brathwaite led the fight for the visitors on day two with a gritty 52.

The last four wickets added an invaluable 99 runs before the tourists were dismissed for 244 in their second innings at tea.

The West Indies are chasing a series-levelling win on a weary Multan Stadium pitch, having lost the first Test by 127 runs at the same venue.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali finished with 4-80 — 10 wickets in the match — while partner Sajid Khan took 4-76, six in the match.

The West Indies were 129-5 at lunch when Noman dismissed Alick Athanaze for six, before the tourists put up a fight.

Tevin Imlach scored 35 and Kevin Sinclair 28 to boost their team's lead during a stubborn stand of 51 for the seventh wicket, before Sajid accounted for Sinclair and Gudakesh Motie for 18.

Pacer Kashif Ali had Imlach but the last pair of Jomel Warrican and Kemar Roach took the total past 240, before Sajid had Warrican caught for 18.

Earlier, Brathwaite led the way with two sixes and four boundaries in his 31st Test half-century.

Noman broke a solid 50-run opening stand by dismissing Mikyle Louis for seven after the tourists started their second innings in the morning.

Brathwaite overturned two leg-before decisions against him before he was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman.

Debutant Amir Jangoo also batted well for his 30 with three boundaries, before Sajid had him caught in the slips by Salman Agha.

Kavem Hodge was stumped by Rizwan off Noman for 15 as the West Indies slumped from 92-1 to 129-5.