Tarouba, July 25, 2026: West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Saturday.
Pakistan entered the match with Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais at the top of the order, while Babar Azam captained the side. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas completed the visitors’ playing XI.
The hosts fielded Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, captain Roston Chase, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales.
Pakistan hold the historical advantage in the rivalry, having won 22 of the 56 Tests played between the two teams. West Indies have secured 19 victories, while 15 matches have ended in draws.
The sides last met in a two-Test series in Pakistan in January last year, which finished 1-1 after Pakistan won the opening Test and West Indies levelled the series with victory in the second match.
Both teams entered the series seeking improved form, with each registering only one victory in their last five completed Test matches.
Pakistan’s most recent Test win came in October 2025, when they defeated ICC World Test Championship holders South Africa by 93 runs in the first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
West Indies, meanwhile, came into the series on the back of a 1-0 home Test series victory over Sri Lanka, achieved through an innings-and-217-run triumph in the opening Test before the second match ended in a draw.
