Masood steers Pakistan recovery after Ali's four-wicket burst

Pakistan closed the second day of the first Test in a much stronger position after Shan Masood's unbeaten 88 guided the visitors to 199-3 in reply to West Indies' 311 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Sunday.

The tourists were helped earlier by Mohammad Ali, who finished with 4-50 as West Indies lost their last five wickets for 54 runs after resuming on 194-3. His spell, backed by Khurram Shahzad's breakthrough and four catches by Salman Ali Agha, kept the hosts from building the sort of first-innings total they had looked set for overnight.

Pakistan's reply began with the early loss of Azan Awais to Kemar Roach, but Masood and Imam-ul-Haq changed the tone of the innings through a 155-run stand for the second wicket. Imam made 63 from 102 balls with seven fours, while Masood batted through to stumps after facing 137 deliveries and striking 11 fours.

Masood, removed as captain after Pakistan's 2-0 series defeat in Bangladesh in May, enjoyed some fortune on the way. He was dropped in the slips off Jayden Seales and later survived an lbw review because of the on-field not-out decision and television evidence.

West Indies regained some control in the final session when Shamar Joseph dismissed Imam and Seales had Babar Azam caught behind just before bad light ended play. Babar, reappointed captain for the short series, fell late in the day as Salman Ali Agha stayed with Masood at the close.

Imam said his approach was simple: "My main focus was to leave the ball well and I was just waiting for them (the bowlers) to come in my zone to score runs, and luckily enough it turned out to be my day."

West Indies slip after promising start

The home side's morning setback came quickly when Kavem Hodge added just one to his overnight score before falling to Khurram Shahzad for 84, ending a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shai Hope.

Hope, who was dropped by Awais at slip on 51, went on to top-score with 92 after more than five hours at the crease. His innings included six fours and a six, but he was trapped lbw by Mohammad Ali, finishing eight short of a sixth Test hundred.

Roston Chase and Roach fell cheaply, while Shamar Joseph briefly lifted the scoring with 23 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six, before gloving a hook to Agha. Mohammad Ali then bowled Jayden Seales to complete his four-wicket haul and round off a far more productive day for Pakistan's attack.