A heroic fourth-wicket partnership of 158 between Babar Azam and Fawad Alam rescued Pakistan from potential disaster on Friday’s opening day of the second Betway Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Babar and Fawad scored 75 and 76*, respectively to hold off the West Indies and put the visitors into a position of strength at 212-4 by close of play, after being reduced to 2-3 early in the proceedings.

Kemar Roach (3-49) and Jayden Seales (1-25) had made early inroads dismissing Abid Ali for one, Axhar Ali for a duck and Imran Butt for 1.

But the pair were obdurate and batted with purpose until after tea when Fawad was forced to retire hurt on 76 after suffering from cramps with the score at 160-3.

Babar was dismissed shortly thereafter, edging one from Roach to Jason Holder at slip for a patient 75 that consumed 174 deliveries in 289 minutes during which he struck 13 fours.

However, any hope that the West Indies had for another breakthrough on an increasingly batting friendly pitch were dashed as Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf saw their team safely to stumps.

Rizwan is unbeaten on 22 and Ashraf on 23.

Kemar Roach was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-49 from 17 overs. Seales took 1-25 from 11 overs.