West Indies claimed a memorable 90 run victory over Pakistan in the first Test after defending a target of 211. Pakistan batting lineup collapsed under pressure despite Babar Azam fighting unbeaten fifty, giving the hosts a deserved win and an early lead in the series.
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| West Indies celebrate a 90 run victory in the opening Test. |
West Indies made a strong statement in the opening Test by defeating Pakistan by 90 runs after a disciplined bowling performance on the final day. Chasing a manageable target of 211, Pakistan suffered a dramatic batting collapse and were dismissed for just 120, allowing the home side to take the first step toward winning the Test series.
Pakistan Chase Ends in Disappointment
Pakistan entered the final innings needing 211 runs for victory, a target that appeared achievable on a challenging pitch. However, the batting order failed to build partnerships as wickets fell regularly from the very beginning.
Captain Babar Azam stood firm with an unbeaten 58 runs, but he received little support from the rest of the lineup. Salman Agha was dismissed without scoring, while Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, and Azan Awais managed only three runs each. Amir Jamal and Mohammad Ali also failed to score, highlighting Pakistan struggles against disciplined West Indies bowling.
Only two Pakistani batters reached double figures, underlining one of the team weakest batting displays in recent Test matches.
West Indies Extend Their Advantage
West Indies resumed the fourth day on 126/7 in their second innings and added valuable runs before being bowled out for 181. Those extra runs proved crucial, setting Pakistan a target of 211.
Pakistan bowling attack continued to impress despite the eventual defeat. Mohammad Abbas produced an outstanding spell, claiming five wickets, while Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali picked up two wickets each.
First Innings Summary
The match remained closely contested after the first innings.
- West Indies scored 311 in their first innings.
- Pakistan replied with 282, trailing by 29 runs.
- West Indies added 181 in the second innings.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 120, handing West Indies a convincing 90 run victory.
Why Pakistan Lost the Match
Batting Collapse Under Pressure
Pakistan's biggest concern was its inability to handle the new ball. Early wickets placed the middle order under immense pressure, making the chase increasingly difficult.
Lack of Partnerships
No meaningful partnerships developed during the chase. Regular wickets prevented Pakistan from building momentum, allowing West Indies to maintain complete control.
West Indies Bowling Excellence
The West Indies bowlers consistently attacked the right areas, extracted movement with the new ball, and forced Pakistan batters into costly mistakes throughout the innings.
Babar Azam Reflects on the Defeat
Speaking after the match, captain Babar Azam admitted that Pakistan had played competitive cricket for much of the Test but failed to deliver when it mattered most.
He acknowledged that the team expected difficulties against the new ball and said the continuous fall of wickets increased the pressure. Despite the defeat, Babar believed the 211 run target was achievable and expressed confidence that Pakistan would bounce back with an improved performance in the next Test.
What This Result Means
West Indies take valuable momentum into the second Test after producing a disciplined all round performance. Pakistan, meanwhile, will need to strengthen its batting approach, particularly against the new ball, if it hopes to level the series.
With both teams showing quality in different phases of the match, the upcoming Test promises another competitive battle