West Indies claim first Test victory
The West Indies secured a 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The win gives the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Pacer Jayden Seales was instrumental in the victory, claiming 5-20 in Pakistan’s second innings.
Set a target of 211 runs for victory, Pakistan was bowled out for 120 on day four of the five-day match. The pitch showed signs of deterioration, contributing to the challenging conditions for the batsmen. The West Indies‘ pace attack proved relentless, particularly in the crucial second innings.
Pakistan’s batting struggles
Pakistan‘s chase began to falter early, with Jayden Seales removing key batsmen Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, and Salman Agha before lunch. This early assault left Pakistan reeling at 27 for 3. Justin Greaves further tightened the West Indies‘ grip after the break, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan and trapping Aamer Jamal lbw.
Despite the collapse, Pakistan captain Babar Azam provided a lone resistance, scoring an unbeaten 58. He formed a 49-run partnership for the 10th wicket with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 23 runs. This partnership extended the match into the evening session, delaying the inevitable for Pakistan.
The team’s batting struggles were evident throughout the match. In their first innings, Pakistan reached 244-4 with a century from Shan Masood, but then lost their next six wickets for just 38 runs, being all out for 282. This performance allowed the West Indies to gain a 29-run first innings lead after scoring 311.
Babar Azam acknowledged the team’s batting performance, stating that they were “not up to the mark as a batting unit” and that they lost “back-to-back wickets.” He also noted the uneven bounce of the pitch but emphasized the importance of building partnerships and surviving the new ball.
Key performances and tributes
Jayden Seales‘ 5-20 in the second innings was a standout performance, capping off a brilliant effort by the West Indies‘ quicks, who accounted for nine of the ten wickets in Pakistan‘s final innings. Justin Greaves, who took 5-27 in Pakistan‘s first innings, was named player of the match. He mentioned mimicking Mohammad Abbas‘ fuller lengths, which proved effective.
For the West Indies, Shamar Joseph top-scored with 38 runs off 27 balls in their second innings, including four sixes, while Kemar Roach added a resilient 18 runs off 63 balls. These contributions helped push the West Indies‘ lead beyond the 200-run mark, setting a challenging target for Pakistan.
The victory was dedicated by West Indies skipper Roston Chase to the late Sir Garfield Sobers, who would have turned 90 on the day of their win. Chase expressed hope that Sir Garfield Sobers would be proud of their performance. He also thanked the Trinidad crowd for their support, which provided energy to the team.
This defeat marks Pakistan‘s eighth consecutive Test loss away from home, extending their challenging run on foreign soil. Babar Azam‘s return as captain for this Test series began with this significant loss. Pakistan will now look to level the series in the second Test, which is scheduled to begin on 2 August in Port of Spain.
The West Indies had resumed on day four with a score of 126-7, adding 55 runs for their last three wickets in the morning session. Mohammad Abbas was the most effective bowler for Pakistan, claiming 5-22 in the West Indies‘ second innings. His overall figures for the match included 3-63 and 5-22.
Shan Masood, who scored a century in the first innings, batted with a fractured finger in the second innings, moving from his usual position to number eight in the batting order. His brief stay at the crease ended when he spooned a catch to backward point. The next match in the series is set for 2 August.
Source: bbc.com
