The West Indies triumphed over Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test of a two-match series, concluding on Tuesday in Trinidad. This victory marks a crucial moment for the West Indies, who have been striving to build momentum in Test cricket.
Challenged with a target of 211 runs on a pitch that deteriorated as the match progressed, Pakistan struggled significantly, collapsing to 120 all out in just 40.2 overs shortly after tea. The Pakistani batting lineup faced immense pressure from the West Indies' pace attack, which proved too formidable for the tourists.
At one point, Pakistan found themselves in dire straits at 71 for nine, teetering on the edge of recording their lowest-ever Test innings total against the West Indies. However, a late resistance from Mohammad Abbas, who partnered with captain Babar Azam to add 49 runs for the last wicket, provided some semblance of fight before Abbas was dismissed leg-before by Jayden Seales for 23 runs. Seales concluded the match with impressive bowling figures of five for 20.
Babar Azam, who remained not out on 58, faced a challenging task as he attempted to steer his team out of a precarious situation. The loss continues a troubling trend for Pakistan, who will enter the second and final Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday, having suffered four consecutive defeats and 13 losses in their last 17 Tests. This defeat also marks their eighth straight loss in away Tests.
The West Indies' victory was a repeat of the previous day's events, where Pakistan had lost seven wickets for a mere 38 runs, collapsing from a promising position of 244 for three to 282 all out, which allowed the West Indies to gain a 29-run lead in the first innings.
On day four, despite a late fightback from Pakistan with the ball on day three, the West Indies managed to post a second innings total of 181, bolstered by an aggressive 38 runs off 27 balls from Shamar Joseph, which included four sixes and a four. Even after Abbas wrapped up the innings with his impressive bowling performance of five for 22, the body language of the Pakistani players suggested they were overwhelmed by the target, particularly with former captain Shan Masood nursing a fractured finger sustained during his first innings century.
Masood bravely returned to bat but fell victim to Seales, caught at backward point by Joseph as the innings crumbled further. The match was also notable for the performance of Barbadian Justin Greaves, who was awarded the “Player of the Match” for his match figures of seven for 39.
Greaves highlighted the importance of discipline in their bowling strategy, stating, “It was just about being disciplined. From watching Mohammad Abbas in both the first and second innings, we tried to mimic that and it pretty much worked out well for us.”
In response to the defeat, Babar acknowledged the batting shortcomings of his team, emphasizing the need for better partnerships. “This surface is good. We have to expect it to be a bit up and down at this stage and also the movement with the new ball. We prepared for this,” he noted, while crediting the West Indies bowlers for their effective utilization of the conditions.
West Indies captain Roston Chase expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, noting the collective effort, “I love how this team is going. We’re not depending on one or two guys solely. Everyone is chipping in at crucial times.”
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