West Indies Crush Pakistan by 90 Runs in First Test
Pakistan suffered a 90-run defeat against the West Indies in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, after another severe batting collapse on the fourth day. Chasing 211 for victory on Tuesday, the visitors were dismissed for only 120 in 40.2 overs, allowing the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
The target appeared manageable, but Pakistan’s top and middle order struggled against a disciplined West Indies pace attack on a surface offering uneven bounce and movement. Wickets fell regularly as the tourists slipped to 71 for nine, raising the possibility that they could record their lowest Test innings total against the Caribbean side.
Captain Babar Azam delayed the defeat with an unbeaten 58, showing patience while several partners failed to establish themselves. Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas supported him with 23 during a 49-run final-wicket partnership before Jayden Seales trapped Abbas leg-before to complete the victory and finish with outstanding figures of five wickets for 20 runs.
Pakistan’s problems had begun during their first innings, when a strong position of 244 for three turned into 282 all out. The visitors lost seven wickets for only 38 runs and surrendered a 29-run lead, wasting the platform created earlier in the innings and giving the West Indies an opportunity to control the match.
The West Indies were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, with Abbas producing an impressive five-wicket haul for 22 runs. However, Shamar Joseph’s aggressive 38 from 27 deliveries, featuring four sixes and a boundary, helped the hosts add valuable runs on the fourth morning and push the required target beyond 200.
Pakistan’s pursuit was further complicated by the injury suffered by former captain Shan Masood, who had fractured a finger while scoring a century in the first innings. He came out to bat with the side already in deep trouble at 58 for six but was dismissed by Seales after Joseph completed the catch at backward point.
Justin Greaves was named player of the match after claiming seven wickets for 39 runs across the contest. Greaves credited the West Indies bowlers for maintaining consistent lines and said they had studied Abbas’s disciplined approach before applying similar methods against Pakistan’s batters.
Babar acknowledged that his side had prepared for variable bounce and new-ball movement but failed to build the partnerships needed to complete the chase. West Indies captain Roston Chase, meanwhile, praised the collective nature of the performance, highlighting that different players contributed at important stages rather than leaving the responsibility to a small group.
The defeat extends Pakistan’s difficult run in Test cricket to four consecutive losses and 13 defeats in their last 17 matches. It was also their eighth successive Test loss away from home. Pakistan must now address their recurring batting collapses before the second and final Test begins at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Sunday.