Masood answers his critics as Pakistan's fightback puts them on top in Tarouba

Shan Masood produced a determined, unbeaten 88 to anchor a spirited Pakistan fightback on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Backed earlier by a fine four-wicket haul from pacer Mohammad Ali, the tourists recovered from a shaky start to close on 199 for three, trailing by just 112 runs and firmly in command of the contest.

For Masood, recently relieved of the captaincy and now batting in the ranks under the restored Babar Azam, it was an innings of real character and a timely response to those who had questioned his place.

Mohammad Ali wraps up the West Indies

The morning session belonged to Pakistan's bowlers. Resuming their overnight position, the West Indies were unable to build significantly on their platform, with pacer Mohammad Ali the chief destroyer.

Ali finished with excellent figures of 4 for 50, dismissing Shamar Joseph, trapping Shai Hope lbw and then bowling Jayden Seales to bring the innings to a close. Hope was the standout for the hosts, agonisingly denied a deserved century when he was pinned in front for 92, having earlier been rescued by Joseph's whirlwind 23 from 13 balls. The West Indies were bowled out for 311 shortly after lunch.

A nightmare start to the reply

Pakistan's response could hardly have begun worse. In only the third over, the evergreen Kemar Roach rolled back the years to castle debutant opener Azan Awais for a nine-ball duck, a superb straight delivery crashing into the stumps to leave the tourists reeling at 1 for 1.

It was precisely the kind of early setback that could have derailed the innings, and it handed the West Indies a golden opportunity to press home their first-innings advantage.

Masood and Imam counter-attack

Rather than retreat into their shells, Masood and Imam-ul-Haq decided that attack was the best form of defence. The pair counter-punched with intent, punishing anything loose and refusing to allow the West Indies bowlers to settle into any rhythm.

Their fluent 155-run stand for the second wicket completely shifted the momentum of the match. It was a partnership built on positive strokeplay and sound judgement, particularly in leaving the swinging new ball well, and it dragged Pakistan from a precarious position into one of genuine strength.

Imam's gritty half-century

Imam played the ideal supporting role, offering solidity and stability at one end while Masood found the boundary at the other. He brought up his 11th Test half-century as the pair extended their alliance past the 150-run mark.

Reflecting on his approach, Imam explained that the plan had been simple, knowing the new ball would swing and would not be easy to face. His focus was on leaving the ball well and knowing where his off stump was, waiting for the bowlers to stray into his areas before looking to score. He was eventually dismissed for a battling 63 from 102 balls by Shamar Joseph, ending the stand with Pakistan on 156 for two.

A record-breaking stand

The 155-run partnership earned its place in the record books, becoming the third-highest second-wicket stand for Pakistan against the West Indies in Test cricket. It trailed only the 190 shared by Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan in 2002 and the 178 by Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Ahmed in 1959.

It underlined the growing maturity of Pakistan's top order and provided the platform from which the tourists could look to build a substantial first-innings total.

Masood leads from the front

At the heart of it all was Masood, whose 88 not out from 137 deliveries contained 11 boundaries. He brought up his 15th Test half-century and batted with the calm authority of a man determined to prove a point after a difficult period.

His day was not without alarm — he survived a couple of nervy moments — but he remained unbeaten at the close, poised to convert his fine start into a deserved hundred on the third morning. Salman Ali Agha was the man alongside him at stumps, yet to get off the mark.

The Babar factor

The day also saw the return of Babar Azam to the crease, now leading the side once more after being reappointed Test captain. He made a brief contribution before falling, but the focus remains on how Pakistan's revamped leadership setup performs across this series.

With Masood set and the middle order still to come, Pakistan will be eyeing a substantial first-innings lead as they look to seize control of the Test in the sessions ahead.

The final word

Day two belonged to Pakistan, who turned a difficult start into a position of real promise through the combined efforts of their bowlers and their top-order batters. Mohammad Ali's four-wicket haul set the tone, before Masood and Imam's record stand tilted the contest firmly in the tourists' favour. With Masood chasing a well-deserved century, the opening hour of Day 3 looms as a pivotal passage that could shape the entire match.