Pakistan finally snapped an eight‑match run of defeats in overseas Test cricket on Wednesday, clinching a decisive eight‑wicket win against the West Indies. The victory not only halted the skid but also leveled the three‑match series at 1‑1, giving the visitors a morale boost before their upcoming clash with England.
The chase was anchored by two steady contributions from the top order. Abdullah Shafique, who had already notched a century in the first innings, and captain Babar Azam, playing his first series since being reinstated as skipper, each added an unbeaten 24 runs.
Their partnership took Pakistan to 77 for 2, a score that proved sufficient to chase down the modest target set by the hosts shortly after the lunch break on day four. Babar’s finishing touch came in the form of two back‑to‑back sixes off left‑arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
Warrican, who had taken six wickets in the first innings and kept Pakistan’s first‑innings lead to a slim 43 runs, was unable to stop the final surge. After the winning shots, Babar reflected on the performance, saying, "You are always satisfied with the win. The most important thing was that we executed our plans whether it was how Abdullah Shafique batted or how the spinners bowled in the second innings." One of the more talked‑about decisions before the match was Babar’s choice to omit his in‑form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favor of an extra spinner.
The gamble paid off as the West Indian batting line‑up faltered against the slow‑bowling duo of Sajid Khan and Ali Usman. "When we saw the pitch it looked more similar to how they are in Pakistan," Babar explained.
"We decided to play an additional spinner and it had an impact on our combinations because of which we had to leave out our senior players." The West Indies had taken the first Test in Tarouba by 90 runs, but the conditions at the historic Queen’s Park Oval turned in Pakistan’s favour on the fourth day. The pitch, which was beginning to wear and offer turn, allowed the Pakistani spinners to extract significant movement. Sajid Khan finished with figures of 4‑32 and Ali Usman claimed 4‑39, together accounting for eight of the ten West Indian wickets in the second innings. Their success meant Pakistan became the first side to remain unbeaten in a Test series against the West Indies since the year 2000.
Key wickets fell early in the West Indian chase. Imam‑ul‑Haq was clean‑bowled by Justin Greaves, who swooped in from the slips to dismiss him for nine on Jayden Seales’ opening over.
Azan Awais also fell cheaply, bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18. These early blows set the tone for a rapid collapse, and the visitors were able to seal the win within four days. Earlier in the match, the West Indies had set Pakistan a modest target of 75 after being bundled out for just 117 in a little more than half an hour.
The rapid dismissal was largely due to the effectiveness of the Pakistani spin attack, with Sajid and Usman sharing the spoils. In the second innings, West Indies opener Brandon King did not return to the crease after sustaining a back injury on day three, an injury that occurred while he executed a spectacular direct‑hit run‑out of Babar from short cover. With Pakistan at 106‑3 and a lead of only 60 runs, the West Indian tail offered little resistance. Ali Usman quickly dismissed Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph, and the final wicket fell when Justin Greaves, the last recognized batsman, was out for two after edging a cross‑batted shot onto his stumps via a thick inside edge while attempting a drive against seamer Mohammad Ali.
Historically, Pakistan’s last away Test triumph came against Sri Lanka in 2023, during Babar’s first stint as captain. After that, Shan Masood took over the helm for nearly three years, a period that saw Pakistan suffer series defeats of 3‑0 in Australia, 2‑0 in South Africa and 2‑0 in Bangladesh. Masood was eventually stripped of the captaincy as Pakistan’s red‑ball fortunes continued to dwindle. Babar’s reinstatement brought hope, but the loss at Tarouba marked the eighth away Test defeat in just three years, underscoring the challenges the team faces on foreign soil.
The win, however, offers a glimmer of optimism. It demonstrates that strategic adjustments—such as tailoring the bowling attack to suit pitch conditions—can yield immediate dividends.
It also highlights the growing confidence of the new‑generation players, with Shafique’s century and Babar’s calm leadership playing pivotal roles. As Pakistan prepares to face England, the team will look to build on this momentum, hoping that the lessons learned in the Caribbean will translate into success on English pitches.
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