Pakistan successfully leveled their Test series against the West Indies at 1-1 with a clinical eight-wicket victory in the second match. This result marked a significant turnaround for the visitors, snapping both a four-Test losing streak and an eight-match winless run in overseas conditions, a drought that dated back to their last victory against Sri Lanka in July 2023.
The West Indies resumed their second innings on Day 4 at 103/6, holding a slender 60-run lead but missing the injured Brandon King. The hosts’ hopes of setting a challenging target were quickly dismantled. Kemar Roach, who had shown resilience in the first innings, attempted a wild leg-side swipe just 12 balls into the day and lost his stumps. This uncharacteristic lapse in judgment proved costly, as the West Indies were eventually bundled out for 117, marking their third-lowest total against Pakistan in the format.
Spinners Ali Usman and Sajid Khan were instrumental in the collapse, each claiming four wickets. Their performance made them the first pair of Pakistan bowlers to take four-wicket hauls in the same innings in the Caribbean, and the first visiting spin duo to achieve this feat in the region in 50 years. Mohammad Ali also contributed by dismissing Justin Greaves, while Usman finished the innings by removing Shamar Joseph, who was caught by Mohammad Rizwan.
Chasing a modest target of 75, Pakistan faced early pressure. Jayden Seales struck in the fifth over, dismissing Imam-ul-Haq with a sharp delivery that found the edge. The West Indies bowlers, particularly Jomel Warrican, utilized the pitch’s turn to create several tense moments, including a close call where Azan Awais was nearly dismissed by a delivery that narrowly missed the stumps.
The visitors continued to struggle for momentum as the West Indies fielders applied pressure. Shamar Joseph eventually broke the partnership by inducing an inside edge from Awais that disturbed the stumps, leaving Pakistan needing 33 more runs. During this period, Babar Azam took a blow to his thumb from a Shamar delivery, requiring medical attention, though he was able to continue.
Abdullah Shafique provided stability, eventually breaking the tension with a slog-sweep for four—his first boundary in 30 balls. By the time lunch was taken, Pakistan required only 18 more runs. Following the break, the duo comfortably chased down the remaining total, with Babar Azam sealing the win with a pair of sixes.
The defeat continues a frustrating trend for the West Indies, who have now failed to win a Test series against Pakistan since 2000. The match concluded with Pakistan finishing at 77/2, successfully chasing the target to secure the win.
Brief scores: Pakistan 387 & 77/2 (Abdullah Shafique 24*, Babar Azam 24; Jayden Seales 1-9, Shamar Joseph 1-17) beat West Indies 344 & 117 (Kavem Hodge 34, Roston Chase 17; Sajid Khan 4-32, Ali Usman 4-39) by eight wickets.
There was no drastic collapse unlike the first Test, as Pakistan cleared out a small target on Day 4, winning the second Test to level the series against the West Indies 1-1.
With Warrican getting purchase off the pitch, Shafique diffused any mounting pressure with a slog-sweep for four, his first boundary in 30 balls.
Lunch was taken with 18 runs to go, and the duo lapped up the rest of the runs after the break, with Babar ending the chase with a couple of sixes.
It wasn’t an event-free pursuit though.
