Pakistan secures first away Test win in three years against West Indies
Pakistan Levels Series in Trinidad
Pakistan achieved 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 on day four, wrapping up the match within 24 overs.
The West Indies, who had won the first Test in Tarouba, resumed their second innings at 103-6 overnight. They had lost three wickets just before the close of play on day three, leaving them with a lead of only 60 runs. Pakistan had previously posted 387 runs in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 344.
The home side was bowled out for 117 within half an hour on Wednesday. They lost their remaining three wickets, with batter Brandon King absent due to injury. Spinners Ali Usman, playing in his second Test, claimed four wickets for 39 runs, with two of those coming on day four. Sajid Khan also contributed significantly with four wickets for 32 runs.
Shafique’s Record-Breaking Performance
Abdullah Shafique played a pivotal role 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 in a Test match in the West Indies. He is only the fifth Pakistan batter to surpass 150 in Tests in the Caribbean, following Majid Khan’s 167 in Guyana in 1977.
Shafique’s 160 not out, which included 15 fours and three sixes, helped propel Pakistan to their first-innings total of 387, securing an overall lead of 43 runs. His dominant display put West Indies on the backfoot, even as Jomel Warrican took six wickets for 112 runs for the home side.
In the chase, Pakistan lost openers Imam-ul-Haq, caught by Jason Greaves off Jayden Seales for nine runs, and Azan Awais, bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18 runs. This left them at 57-2 at lunch. However, Shafique and captain Babar Azam, who had scored 88 in the first innings, finished the game off in the sixth over after the interval, both remaining unbeaten on 24 runs.
Looking Ahead for Pakistan
The victory marks the end of a streak of eight consecutive away defeats for Pakistan, a run that began after their win against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July 2023. The team now prepares for a three-match Test series in England.
The upcoming series is scheduled to begin at Headingley on Wednesday, 19 August. The West Indies faced challenges in their second innings, including the absence of Brandon King due to lower back muscle spasms. He was unable to bat and was being monitored by the team’s medical staff as a precaution.
Despite the late blow of losing captain Roston Chase for 17 runs on the final delivery of day three, West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul had expressed confidence in his side’s ability to set a substantial target. He believed that pushing the lead to 150 would give them a chance, given the pitch conditions.
Source: bbc.com
