Tarouba, July 29, 2026: West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the opening Test of the two-match series after their pace attack dismantled the visitors’ batting lineup on a challenging pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.
Chasing 211 for victory, Pakistan collapsed to 71 for nine before captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas staged a brief resistance with a 49-run partnership for the final wicket. However, Jayden Seales ended Pakistan’s hopes by dismissing Abbas for 23, handing West Indies a convincing victory shortly after tea on the fourth day.
Babar remained unbeaten on 58, but Pakistan were bowled out for 120 in their second innings, suffering their eighth consecutive Test defeat away from home.
West Indies captain Roston Chase dedicated the victory to legendary former cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away recently and would have turned 90 on the day of the team’s win.
“We wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match. I hope he is smiling down on us,” Chase said after the match.
Earlier, West Indies resumed their second innings at 126 for seven and extended their total to 181, setting Pakistan a target of 211 runs. Shamar Joseph top-scored for the hosts with an aggressive 38 off 27 balls, including four sixes, while Kemar Roach contributed a patient 18 off 63 deliveries.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets for 22 runs, while Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad took two wickets each and Aamer Jamal picked up one.
Pakistan’s chase began disastrously as West Indies’ fast bowlers exploited the uneven bounce on the surface. Jayden Seales struck early, dismissing Imam-ul-Haq, debutant Azan Awais and Salman Ali Agha to leave Pakistan struggling.
Justin Greaves, who produced a remarkable spell of five wickets for no runs on the third day, continued his excellent form by removing Mohammad Rizwan before trapping Aamer Jamal leg before wicket.
Shan Masood, who batted despite a fractured finger, attempted to steady the innings but fell after scoring a determined knock, further reducing Pakistan’s chances of a comeback.
Seales finished with outstanding figures of five wickets for 20 runs, while Greaves and the rest of the West Indies bowling attack maintained constant pressure throughout the innings.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had taken a 29-run first-innings lead after Shan Masood scored a brilliant century, but West Indies recovered strongly to seize control. Justin Greaves claimed five wickets as Pakistan were dismissed for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.
Reflecting on the defeat, Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged his team’s batting shortcomings.
“We played good cricket in the last few days but today we were not up to the mark as a batting unit. There was uneven bounce in the pitch, but we should have looked to build partnerships,” Babar said.
The second and final Test of the series will begin on August 2 in Port of Spain, where Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the series.
