West Indies on the brink of levelling series after day two in Multan

Kevin Sinclair spearheaded a disciplined West Indian spin attack to leave Pakistan in a precarious position, as the hosts finished day two of the second Test in Multan at 76-4, chasing a challenging target of 254.

The tourists had earlier fought their way to 244 in their second innings on a pitch offering significant turn, giving themselves a strong chance to level the series at 1-1. Pakistan, who won the first Test by 127 runs, now need an imposing 178 more runs with six wickets in hand.

At stumps, Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 13, with nightwatchman Kashif Ali on one. The day saw 14 wickets tumble, following 20 on the opening day, highlighting the challenging conditions at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Sinclair struck crucial blows, trapping Pakistan captain Shan Masood lbw for two and removing Babar Azam for a painstaking 31. Azam had shared a 43-run stand with Kamran Ghulam, who was dropped twice on two and six. However, the West Indies ensured those errors did not prove costly.

Gudakesh Motie dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for two, while Jomel Warrican accounted for Ghulam, who managed just 19.

Earlier, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite played a captain's knock, scoring a gritty 52, his 31st Test half-century, to anchor the visitors' second innings. Brathwaite hit two sixes and four boundaries during his innings, overturning two lbw decisions before being stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman Ali.

The West Indies resumed their innings in the morning with an unbeaten opening partnership of 50, but Noman broke through, dismissing Mikyle Louis for seven.

Debutant Amir Jangoo contributed 30, including three boundaries, before falling to Sajid Khan, who had him caught in the slips by Salman Agha. Kavem Hodge was stumped by Rizwan off Noman for 15 as the visitors slipped from 92-1 to 129-5.

Despite the middle-order collapse, the West Indies' lower order added invaluable runs. Tevin Imlach scored 35, while Sinclair and Motie chipped in with 28 and 18, respectively, during a crucial 51-run stand for the seventh wicket. Sajid eventually dismissed Sinclair and Motie, while pacer Kashif Ali accounted for Imlach.

The final pair, Jomel Warrican and Kemar Roach, pushed the total past 240 before Warrican was caught off Sajid for 18.

Noman Ali, who recorded figures of 4-80 in the second innings and 10 wickets in the match, combined with Sajid Khan (4-76) to keep Pakistan in the contest.