Pakistan salvaged a share of their two-match Test series against the West Indies, bouncing back from a 90-run defeat in the opening Test in Tarouba to win the second Test in Port of Spain by eight wickets, sealing the series 1-1. The result marked Pakistan's first away Test win in three years, snapping an eight-match losing streak on foreign soil.
Chasing a modest target of 75 in the second innings, Pakistan made light work of the run chase despite losing early wickets to Jayden Seales and a mix-up that saw Azan Awais edge onto his stumps. Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, the two batting heroes of Pakistan's first innings, steadied the chase before Babar danced down the wicket to smash Jomel Warrican for successive sixes and seal the win shortly after lunch on the fourth day.
Shafique and Babar Lead the Way
Abdullah Shafique was named Player of the Match after a match haul of 160 not out and 24 not out, anchoring Pakistan's total in the first innings and guiding them home unbeaten in the chase. Babar Azam, playing his second stint as Pakistan's Test captain, finished the series with 193 runs and was named Player of the Series, capping a strong personal comeback with both bat and leadership.
West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves had an outstanding series of his own, finishing with 111 runs and seven wickets and earning Player of the Series honors for the home side, a reflection of how competitive the two-match series proved despite the lopsided nature of the second Test's finish.
A Familiar Scoreline
The 1-1 result extends a curious pattern between the two sides, marking the third consecutive Test series between Pakistan and West Indies to end in a drawn scoreline. Pakistan's spin attack, led by Sajid Khan and supported by pace bowlers Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas, did much of the heavy lifting across the series, while the tourists made several changes to their bowling combinations as they searched for the right balance overseas.
With the series now behind them, Pakistan will look to carry the momentum into their upcoming tour of England, where they are set to play three Tests between August 19 and September 13 as part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The overseas win in Port of Spain offers a timely confidence boost ahead of what promises to be a much sterner test in English conditions.