The third day of the Test match at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain proved to be a challenging affair for batters, as 14 wickets tumbled on a surface that continued to favor spin bowling. Pakistan ended the day in the ascendancy, though not before navigating their own share of adversity.
Pakistan resumed their innings at 266/2 but suffered an immediate setback when captain Babar Azam was run out for 88 after a direct hit from Brandon King. The incident proved costly beyond the scoreboard, as King suffered a lower back spasm while throwing and was subsequently stretchered off, taking no further part in the day's play. Following the dismissal, Pakistan lost momentum, with Awais Zafar and Salman Agha falling in quick succession. Despite a brief 18-run cameo from Mohammad Rizwan, who was bowled by an arm ball from Jomel Warrican, Pakistan found stability through a 59-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan. Shafique, who finished the day unbeaten on 160, reached his 150-run milestone by attacking Kavem Hodge's part-time spin.
Warrican ultimately finished with six wickets for 112 runs, mopping up the tail to restrict Pakistan to a total of 387, giving the visitors a 43-run lead. Jayden Seales provided support by removing Sajid for 30.
In response, West Indies opened with Hodge and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, looking to erase the deficit. While they initially found success against the pacers, the introduction of spin shifted the momentum back to Pakistan. Sajid Khan dismissed Chanderpaul leg before, and the innings spiraled from 99/3 to 103/6 by Stumps. Amir Jangoo was bowled by Sajid, and Ali Usman claimed the wicket of Hodge via a successful review. Sajid further dismantled the middle order by trapping Shai Hope and night watchman Seales lbw with deliveries that kept low. Roston Chase fell to Usman just before the close of play, leaving West Indies in a precarious position with a 60-run lead and Justin Greaves remaining at the crease on 1 run.
