Port-of-Spain: Pakistan secures first away Test win in three years against West Indies
Pakistan levels series in Trinidad
Pakistan secured their first away Test victory in three years, defeating West Indies by eight wickets in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. This win drew the two-match series 1-1. The visitors successfully chased a target of 75 runs, with Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam both contributing an unbeaten 24 runs. The match concluded inside 24 overs on the fourth day of five.
The home side, who had previously won the first Test in Tarouba, resumed their second innings at 103-6 after losing three wickets late on day three. This left them with a lead of just 60 runs, following Pakistan’s first innings total of 387 in response to West Indies’ 344.
West Indies were bowled out for 117 within half an hour on Wednesday. They lost their three remaining wickets, with batter Brandon King absent due to injury. Spinners Ali Usman and Sajid Khan were instrumental in Pakistan’s bowling effort. Usman, playing in his second Test, claimed two of his four wickets for 39 runs on day four, while Khan also took four wickets for 32 runs.
Shafique’s notable performance
Abdullah Shafique was a key performer for Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 160 runs in the first innings. This performance made him the first Pakistan batter since 1977 to score more than 150 runs in a Test match in the West Indies. His innings helped propel Pakistan to their first innings total of 387, giving them an overall lead of 43 runs.
Shafique’s achievement places him among a select group, as he became only the fifth Pakistan batter to surpass 150 runs in Tests played in the Caribbean. The last player to achieve this feat was Majid Khan, who scored 167 runs in Guyana in 1977. During his impressive knock, Shafique hit 15 fours and three sixes.
Jomel Warrican was the primary wicket-taker for West Indies in the first innings, claiming six wickets for 112 runs. Despite Warrican’s efforts, Shafique’s batting ensured Pakistan maintained control of the match.
Injury impacts West Indies’ chase
The absence of Brandon King due to a back complaint affected West Indies’ second innings. King was unable to bat because he was experiencing lower back muscle spasms. The team’s medical staff monitored and evaluated his condition, and as a precaution, he did not return to the field for the remainder of the day’s play. His availability for the crucial fourth day in Port-of-Spain was uncertain.
West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul expressed hope that his side could still set a challenging target for Pakistan. He stated that if they could extend their lead to 150 runs, they would have a chance to win the Test. However, Pakistan’s spinners ultimately curtailed West Indies’ second innings, leading to their quick dismissal.
The victory for Pakistan concludes a sequence of eight consecutive away defeats, a run that began after their win against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July 2023. Following this series, Pakistan is scheduled to travel to England for a three-match Test series, which is set to commence at Headingley on Wednesday, 19 August.
Source: bbc.com
