Visitors square Test series in Port of Spain

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP):

Pakistan ended an eight-match away-Test losing streak with a resounding eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second and final Test yesterday.

First-innings century-maker Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, playing in his first series since being reappointed captain, guided Pakistan to 77-2 with unbeaten 24s as the visitors reached their target shortly after lunch on day four to level the series 1-1.

Babar sealed victory with consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose six-wicket haul in the first innings had restricted Pakistan’s lead to 43 runs.

“You are always satisfied with the win,” Babar said. “The most important thing was that we executed our plans, whether it was how Abdullah Shafique batting or how the spinners bowled in the second innings.”

Babar’s decision to omit in-form fast-bowler Mohammad Abbas in favour of an extra spinner was vindicated as West Indies’ batting line-up crumbled against Pakistan’s slow bowlers in the second innings.

“When we saw the pitch, it looked more similar to how they are in Pakistan,” Babar said.

“We decided to play an additional spinner, and it had an impact on our combinations because of which we had to leave out our senior players.”

Exploited favourable conditions

West Indies won the first Test by 90 runs at Tarouba, but Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Ali Usman exploited favourable conditions on a wearing Queen’s Park Oval surface to ensure Pakistan remained unbeaten in a Test series against the West Indies since 2000.

Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq, who was brilliantly caught by Justin Greaves in the slips for nine off Jayden Seales’ first over, while Azan Awais was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18. However, Shafique and Babar carried the visitors to victory inside four days.

Earlier, West Indies set Pakistan a modest target of 75 after being bowled out for 117 within the first half-hour of play. Off-spinner Sajid (4-32) and left-arm spinner Usman (4-39) shared eight wickets.

Opening batter Brandon King was unable to bat in West Indies’ second innings because of a back injury sustained on day three when he ran out Babar with a spectacular direct hit from short cover.

Resuming on 106-3 with a lead of only 60 runs, West Indies’ lower order offered little resistance. Usman removed Kemar Roach and Joseph, while Greaves, the last recognised batter, was bowled by seamer Mohammad Ali after adding just two runs to his overnight score. Attempting a cross-batted shot, he inside-edged the ball onto his stumps.

“It is obviously disappointing,” West Indies captain Roston Chase said. “We wanted to win this series 2-0. We could have probably gone in with an extra spinner.

“We have played really good cricket in the last two series, and we are improving and going into the direction that I want us to go, but we are disappointed with the result,” Chase added. “We wanted to win these series and make our home a fortress, but it is what it is. We have to learn and further improve.”

Pakistan’s previous away-Test victory came against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar’s first stint as captain. Shan Masood then led the side for nearly three years, during which Pakistan suffered series defeats of 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa and 2-0 in Bangladesh.

Masood was eventually removed as captain following Pakistan’s poor run in red-ball cricket. However, Babar’s return as skipper initially brought no change in fortunes, with Pakistan losing the first Test at Tarouba, their eighth away-Test defeat in three years.