Pakistan finally put an end to a disheartening run of eight consecutive away Test defeats on Wednesday, clinching a convincing eight‑wicket win against the West Indies. The victory, secured shortly after the lunch break on the fourth day, not only halted the losing streak but also levelled the two‑match series at 1‑1. The chase was anchored by first‑innings centurion Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam, who was back in the role for his first series since being reinstated as skipper.
Both batsmen contributed calm, unbeaten 24‑run innings, guiding Pakistan to a steady 77 for 2 as they approached the modest target set by the hosts. Babar, in particular, displayed his aggressive intent by striking two consecutive sixes off left‑arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose earlier six‑wicket haul in the first innings had trimmed Pakistan's lead to just 43 runs. "A win is always a win," Babar remarked after the match. "The key was that we stuck to our game plan – whether it was Abdullah Shafique’s approach at the crease or how our spinners were used in the second innings." His comments underscored the strategic adjustments made by the team, especially the decision to omit the in‑form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favour of an extra spinner.
The move paid dividends as the West Indian batting line‑up crumbled against the slower, turn‑friendly attack. When asked about the pitch, Babar explained that it reminded him of conditions back home in Pakistan. "The surface behaved more like our home tracks, so we opted for an additional spinner. That choice altered our combination and forced us to leave out some senior players, but it worked out well," he said.
The West Indies had taken the first Test in Tarouba by a margin of 90 runs, but the Pakistani spin duo – Sajid Khan and Ali Usman – exploited the deteriorating Queen's Park Oval surface in the second match. Their disciplined, flight‑and‑turn bowling helped Pakistan become the first side to avoid a series loss against the West Indies in a Test series since the year 2000. Key moments of the match included the early dismissal of Imam‑ul‑Haq, who was caught behind by Justin Greaves for just nine runs in Jayden Seales' opening over.
Azan Awais also fell for 18, bowled by Shamar Joseph, before Shafique and Babar steadied the ship and saw the game through to a four‑day finish. West Indies had set a modest target of 75 after being bundled out for 117 in a rapid 30‑minute spell, thanks to effective spells from off‑spinner Sajid (4‑32) and left‑arm spinner Usman (4‑39), who shared eight wickets between them.
The Caribbean side’s opener, Brandon King, was unable to bat in the second innings after sustaining a back injury on day three while executing a spectacular direct‑hit run‑out of Babar from short cover. Re‑entering the fray at 106‑3 with a slim lead of 60 runs, the West Indian tail offered little resistance. Usman swiftly removed Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph, while the last recognised batsman, Justin Greaves, succumbed for two after a cross‑batted shot edged thickly onto his stumps via a seamer from Mohammad Ali.
Historically, Pakistan’s last overseas Test triumph came against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar’s initial stint as captain. The intervening years saw Shan Masood lead the side for nearly three seasons, a period marked by heavy defeats – a 3‑0 whitewash in Australia, a 2‑0 loss in South Africa, and another 2‑0 setback in Bangladesh.
Masood eventually stepped down after persistent struggles in the longer format, paving the way for Babar’s return. However, the immediate impact was not evident, as the Tarouba defeat marked the eighth away Test loss for Pakistan within a three‑year span. The win against the West Indies therefore carries significant weight beyond the scoreboard. It demonstrates the effectiveness of a spin‑heavy strategy on sub‑continental‑like pitches abroad, validates Babar’s leadership decisions, and restores confidence to a side that has been searching for a breakthrough in foreign conditions.
Moreover, the performance of younger players such as Abdullah Shafique, who continues to build on his maiden century, suggests a promising blend of experience and emerging talent. Looking ahead, Pakistan will travel to England for the next series, where the conditions will be markedly different – favouring seam and swing over spin.
The lessons learned from the Caribbean encounter, especially the importance of adapting the bowling attack to suit the pitch, will be crucial. Babar and his coaching staff will likely revisit their selection policies, ensuring a balanced attack that can exploit English weather and green tops while still providing the batting resilience shown in this recent victory. In summary, Pakistan’s eight‑wicket triumph over the West Indies not only snapped an eight‑match away Test losing streak but also highlighted the strategic acumen of the captain and the potency of the spin department on receptive surfaces. The result injects optimism into a team eager to reverse its fortunes on foreign soil and sets the stage for a compelling contest against England later this year.