Tarouba, Trinidad: The West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Chasing a target of 211 runs, Pakistan’s batting line-up collapsed and was bowled out for 120, handing the hosts a comfortable victory despite a fighting unbeaten half-century from captain Babar Azam.
Pakistan’s top order struggled from the outset. Azan Awais scored 3, Imam-ul-Haq made 3, and Salman Ali Agha was dismissed without scoring. Shan Masood, who had scored a century in the first innings, also managed just 3 runs in the chase.
Lower-order contributions were equally limited, with Ali Usman scoring 2, Khurram Shahzad making 4, while Aamir Jamal and Mohammad Ali were both dismissed for ducks.
Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 58, but he received little support from the rest of the batting line-up. Eight Pakistan batters failed to reach double figures, highlighting the team’s disappointing performance in the fourth-innings chase.
Earlier on the fourth day, the West Indies resumed their second innings on 126 for 7 and were eventually bowled out for 181, setting Pakistan a victory target of 211 runs.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets, while Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali picked up two wickets each.
In the first innings, the West Indies posted 311 runs, before Pakistan replied with 282, leaving the hosts with a narrow first-innings lead that proved decisive.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the team had played good cricket overall but admitted that the batting unit failed to deliver on the final day.
“We played good cricket overall in the Test, but our batting line-up could not perform on the last day,” Babar said.
He added that the team had expected the new ball to pose challenges and that the regular loss of wickets increased the pressure during the chase.
“We knew the new ball would be difficult to face. The continuous fall of wickets increased the pressure. A target of 211 was achievable, and we will look to make a stronger comeback in the next Test,” he said.
The defeat gives the West Indies a 1-0 advantage in the series, while Pakistan will need to win the second and final Test to avoid a series loss.
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