West Indies took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series after defeating Pakistan by 90 runs in the opening match of the two-match series at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Fast bowler Jayden Seales was the star performer, claiming five wickets in the second innings as Pakistan were bowled out for 120 while chasing 211. Seals finished with figures of 5/20.Pakistan’s batting quickly collapsed as they slipped to 71/9. However, captain Babar Azam and No. 11 Mohammad Abbas delayed West Indies’ victory with a 49-run partnership for the final wicket.Abbas scored 23 before Seales dismissed him shortly after the tea break on Day 4, ending Pakistan’s struggle.
Babar is high in defeat
Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 58 and completed his 32nd Test half-century, but the Pakistan captain received little support from his teammates.Babar reached his fifty from 81 balls when Pakistan were already struggling at 88/9. The other batsmen had managed just 38 runs between them.After the defeat, Babar admitted that Pakistan’s batting was not good enough.“We have played good cricket in the last few days, but today we were not up to the mark as a batting unit. We lost back-to-back wickets. We will look to make sure that does not happen in the next few matches,” Babar said.The second Test of the series will begin on Sunday.
Pakistan suffer another batting collapse
Pakistan’s second innings defeat mirrored their first innings woes.After reaching 244/4, Pakistan lost six wickets for just 38 runs and were dismissed for 282, giving the West Indies a 29-run first innings lead.West Indies had posted 311 in their first innings.Apart from Shan MasoodCenturies and half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq (63) and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting lacked consistency. In both innings, only six Pakistani batsmen managed to score in double figures.Masood’s injury has made things more difficult for Pakistan. After injuring his hand in the first innings, he was forced to bat at No. 8 instead of his usual No. 3 position.
West Indies build a match-winning lead
West Indies resumed day 4 at 126/7 with a lead of 155 runs. Shamar Joseph added 16 runs to his night score of 22, while Kemar Roach he contributed 13 as the West Indies pushed their lead past 200.The target proved too much for Pakistan as Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for just three runs before the chase.Babar tried to anchor the innings, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to provide support. Among Pakistan’s top six, only Mohammad Rizwan crossed double figures with a score of 11.
Seales and Greaves lead the West Indies attack
Seales received good support from Kemar Roach and Justin Greaves, who took two wickets each.The pacer completed his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket when he trapped Abbas lbw in the 41st over.Greaves was named Player of the Match after his impressive performance. He had taken 5/27 in Pakistan’s first innings.For Pakistan, Abbas was the standout performer with the ball, taking 3/63 and 5/22 in the West Indies’ two innings.