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 losing streak but also leveled the three‑match series at one win each, with the result coming just after the lunch break on the fourth day. The innings was anchored by a solid partnership between first‑innings centurion Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam, who was back in the role for the first series since his reappointment. Both batsmen contributed unbeaten 24‑run knocks, guiding the visitors to a comfortable 77 for 2 and setting the stage for a chase that would be completed with relative ease.
Babar’s composure with the bat was evident as he struck two consecutive sixes off left‑arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose earlier six‑wicket haul in the first innings had kept Pakistan’s lead to a modest 43 runs. "You are always satisfied with the win," Babar said after the match. "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 side made, particularly the decision to leave out in‑form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favor of an extra spinner. That move proved decisive, as the West Indies line‑up struggled against the slow‑bowling attack in the final innings.
The pitch at the Queen's Park Oval behaved more like a sub‑continental surface than a Caribbean one, prompting Babar to add another spinner to the attack. "When we saw the pitch it looked more similar to how they are in Pakistan," he 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 extra spin option paid dividends; Sajid Khan and Ali Usman exploited the wearing conditions, taking four wickets each and dismantling the West Indian batting order. West Indies had opened the series with a 90‑run win in Tarouba, but their advantage evaporated as Pakistan’s bowlers found rhythm on a deteriorating surface.
After West Indies were bowled out for just 117 in their second innings – a collapse that lasted barely half an hour – they set Pakistan a meagre target of 75 runs. Sajid Khan (4‑32) and Ali Usman (4‑39) shared eight wickets between them, ensuring the chase would be swift. Pakistan’s chase began with early wickets falling: Imam‑ul‑Haq was caught behind by Justin Greaves for nine in Jayden Seales' opening over, and Azan Awais was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18.
However, the partnership of Shafique and Babar steadied the innings, and the pair saw the team home with four wickets in hand well before the scheduled close of play. The match also featured a few notable incidents. West Indies opener Brandon King suffered a back injury on day three after executing a spectacular direct‑hit run‑out of Babar from short cover, which forced him to miss the second innings.
Later, in the West Indian tail, Ali Usman dismissed veteran pacer Kemar Roach and all‑rounder Alzarri Joseph in quick succession, while Justin Greaves, the last recognized batsman, fell for two after a mistimed cross‑bat shot that edged onto his stumps. Historically, Pakistan’s last overseas Test triumph had come against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar’s initial stint as captain. The intervening years saw Shan Masood take over the leadership role, a period marked by a series of heavy defeats: 3‑0 in Australia, 2‑0 in South Africa and 2‑0 in Bangladesh.
Masood’s tenure ended after persistent struggles in the red‑ball format, and Babar’s reinstatement was intended to revive Pakistan’s fortunes. While the win against the West Indies does not instantly erase the challenges faced in recent years, it does provide a much‑needed morale boost ahead of the upcoming series against England. The strategic use of spin, the effective execution of game plans, and the composure displayed by both senior and emerging players suggest that Pakistan may have found a formula that works on foreign soil.
The team will now look to build on this momentum, fine‑tune their tactics, and aim to convert this hard‑earned victory into a more sustained period of success in the demanding arena of away Test cricket.