Pakistan 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 and restoring some pride to a side that had struggled on foreign soil. The victory, secured shortly after the lunch break on the fourth day, also leveled the series at one win apiece, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. The match turned on the shoulders of two familiar names. Abdullah Shafique, who had already recorded a century in the first innings, partnered with Babar Azam – playing his first series back as captain after being reinstated – to steer Pakistan to a comfortable 77‑2 finish in the chase.
Both batsmen contributed unbeaten 24‑run innings, guiding the visitors to the target with relative ease. Babar’s composure was evident when he struck back‑to‑back sixes off left‑arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose earlier six‑wicket haul had kept Pakistan’s first‑innings lead to a modest 43 runs. Reflecting on the win, Babar said, "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 underscored the strategic shift that Pakistan made after assessing the pitch. Noting that the surface resembled conditions back home in Pakistan, Babar opted to bolster the spin attack, leaving out the in‑form fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favor of an extra spinner. The decision proved decisive as West Indies’ batting collapsed under the slow‑bowling onslaught.
The spin duo of Sajid Khan and Ali Usman exploited the deteriorating Queen’s Park Oval wicket, which was beginning to wear and offer turn. Their combined figures of eight wickets (Sajid 4‑32, Usman 4‑39) dismantled the West Indian second‑innings line‑up, allowing Pakistan to chase down the modest target of 75 runs with six wickets to spare. The West Indies had set that target after being bowled out for a paltry 117 in just half an hour, a collapse that highlighted the potency of Pakistan’s spin on a receptive surface. Earlier in the match, Pakistan had lost early wickets.
Imam‑ul‑Haq fell for nine, caught behind by Justin Greaves off the first over of Jayden Seales, while Azan Awais was dismissed for 18 by Shamar Joseph. Despite these setbacks, the partnership between Shafique and Babar steadied the ship and ultimately secured the win within four days. West Indies’ opening batsman Brandon King was unable to contribute in the second innings 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. The loss of King further weakened the Caribbean side, whose lower order offered little resistance.
After resuming at 106‑3 with a slender lead of 60 runs, the West Indian tail fell quickly. Ali Usman dismissed Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph in rapid succession, and the last recognized batsman, Justin Greaves, was out for two after a mistimed cross‑bat shot that edged onto his stumps. The win was historically significant for Pakistan.
Their last overseas Test triumph had come against Sri Lanka in 2023, during Babar’s initial stint as captain. Since then, the team had endured a series of disappointing tours, including a 3‑0 whitewash in Australia, a 2‑0 loss in South Africa, and a 2‑0 defeat in Bangladesh under former captain Shan Masood.
Masood’s tenure saw Pakistan’s red‑ball fortunes dip dramatically, leading to his eventual removal as skipper. Babar’s reinstatement was intended to reverse the trend, but the series loss in Tarouba marked the eighth away Test defeat in three years, underscoring the challenges the side faces on foreign pitches. The strategic emphasis on spin was a key learning point. Babar explained, "When we saw the pitch it looked more similar to how they are in Pakistan.
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." This tactical flexibility, coupled with disciplined field placements and disciplined bowling, allowed Pakistan to adapt to conditions that traditionally favour the home side. Beyond the immediate result, the match offers broader implications for Pakistan’s upcoming series against England. The confidence gained from breaking the away‑loss streak, coupled with the successful deployment of a spin‑heavy attack, could inform selection and game‑plan decisions in England’s more seam‑friendly environments.
While the English conditions will differ markedly from the Caribbean, the ability to adjust personnel based on pitch assessment will be a valuable asset. In summary, Pakistan’s eight‑wicket victory over the West Indies not only snapped an eight‑match away‑Test losing streak but also showcased the effectiveness of strategic spin usage, resilient batting partnerships, and adaptive leadership under Babar Azam. The series now stands level at 1‑1, setting up a decisive third Test that will test both sides’ resolve and tactical acumen.
The win also provides a morale boost ahead of the forthcoming England clash, where the lessons learned in Port of Spain may prove pivotal in shaping Pakistan’s approach to overseas red‑ball cricket.