Pakistan finally put an end to a disheartening run of eight consecutive away Test defeats on Wednesday, clinching a convincing eight‑wicket win over the West Indies. The victory not only halted the skid but also leveled the three‑match series at one win apiece, giving the touring side a morale boost as they prepare for the upcoming England encounter. The match turned on the shoulders of two steady batsmen. Abdullah Shafique, who had already registered a century in the first innings, joined captain Babar Azam at the crease in the fourth innings.
Both men contributed unbeaten 24‑run knocks, steering Pakistan to the required target shortly after the lunch break on day four. Their partnership, though modest in numbers, was decisive because it came at a critical juncture when the West Indies were defending a modest total. Babar Azam, playing his first series back after being reinstated as Pakistan’s captain, showcased his leadership and finishing skills by striking two consecutive sixes off left‑arm spinner Jomel Warrican.
Warrican had been the most successful bowler for the West Indies in the first innings, taking six wickets and restricting Pakistan’s lead to just 43 runs. By hitting those back‑to‑back boundaries, Babar not only sealed the chase but also sent a clear message about his intent to lead from the front. Speaking after the match, Babar reflected on the win, 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." His comments highlighted the strategic adjustments the team made, especially the decision to bolster the spin attack. One of the most talked‑about selections was Babar’s choice to omit the in‑form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favor of an extra spinner.
The move paid dividends as the West Indian batting line‑up crumbled against the slow bowlers on a deteriorating Queen’s Park Oval surface. "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 additional spin option proved pivotal, with Sajid Khan and Ali Usman exploiting the wear and tear of the pitch to take crucial wickets.
In the first Test of the series, the West Indies had edged Pakistan out by 90 runs in Tarouba. However, the spin duo of Sajid Khan (4‑32) and Ali Usman (4‑39) turned the tables in the second Test, sharing eight wickets between them and restricting the visitors to a meagre 75 runs after the West Indies were bowled out for 117 in just half an hour.
Their disciplined spell forced the West Indian tail to fold quickly, with Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph falling to Usman’s sharp turn, and Justin Greaves departing for a duck after edging a delivery from Mohammad Ali onto his stumps. The match also featured a few dramatic moments.
Imam‑ul‑Haq fell early, caught by Justin Greaves in the slips for nine runs on Jayden Seales’ first over. Azan Awais was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18, but the partnership between Shafique and Babar steadied the ship. West Indies opener Brandon King, who had earlier produced a spectacular direct‑hit run‑out of Babar from short cover, was forced to miss the second innings after sustaining a back injury on day three. Pakistan’s last away Test triumph before this win came against Sri Lanka in 2023, during Babar’s earlier stint as captain.
The intervening years saw Shan Masood lead the side for almost three years, a period marked by a string of defeats: a 3‑0 loss in Australia, a 2‑0 whitewash in South Africa, and another 2‑0 series loss in Bangladesh. Masood eventually stepped down amid criticism of Pakistan’s red‑ball performances, and Babar’s return was hoped to reverse the trend.
While the Tarouba loss initially suggested that the problems persisted, the victory in Port of Spain demonstrated that the team could adapt and succeed under the right conditions. Overall, the win not only snapped an eight‑match away losing streak but also restored confidence in Pakistan’s strategic flexibility, especially regarding spin resources on sub‑continental‑type pitches abroad. As the squad looks ahead to the England series, the lessons learned from this match—effective use of spin, disciplined batting partnerships, and decisive captaincy—will be crucial in shaping their approach to the challenges that lie ahead.