The West Indies achieved a commanding 120-run victory over Pakistan in the second and final Test, leveling the two-match series 1-1. This historic triumph marked the West Indies’ first Test win on Pakistan’s home soil since 1990.
Chasing a target of 254, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled against the relentless spin attack of the West Indies, collapsing to just 133 all out on Day 3. Starting at 76/4, Pakistan needed 178 more runs to secure a win but succumbed to the visitors’ pressure within the first 20 minutes of play.
Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican were the stars with the ball. Sinclair struck in the first over of the day, removing Saud Shakeel for 13. Warrican followed suit by dismissing Kashif Ali for a single run in the next over. By the time Pakistan fell to 76/6, the match was firmly in West Indies’ control.
Post-Match Reflections by Shan Masood
Pakistan captain Shan Masood acknowledged his team’s shortcomings in the post-match presentation while reflecting on the series overall.
“I think the only option left was to bring the fast bowler on and have a crack. They batted well, but that’s something we have to learn. We’ve struggled to get the tail out here, something we did well in South Africa and Australia,” Masood said.
He also pointed out Pakistan’s failure to capitalize on key moments. “Even in the game we lost, on the first day we were in a position where we wanted to be. One bad performance led to a domino effect, but you can’t forget the way we played throughout. We realized that one extra partnership can have a big effect on games, and that’s something we need to learn quickly.”
Despite the loss, Masood praised his players for their resilience. “It’s a game of all stakeholders, and I appreciate the players for being willing to throw themselves into the den despite not being used to it,” he added.
Encouraging Performances and Lessons Learned
Masood highlighted some positives from the series, including individual performances by Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and his own quick fifty in the first Test. He also emphasized the need for a more proactive approach, citing Kraigg Brathwaite’s aggressive batting as an example.
“We might not get those big hundreds, but we need to take the game on, like Brathwaite did. That’s something we need to be aware of and probably improve going forward,” Masood concluded.
West Indies’ Historic Achievement
This win is a significant milestone for the West Indies, breaking a 34-year-long drought of Test victories in Pakistan. Their spin attack, led by Sinclair and Warrican, proved too much for Pakistan to handle, cementing their reputation as a team capable of excelling in challenging conditions.
