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. The stamps are finished in numbers 5/20.Pakistan’s batting collapsed quickly as they slumped to 71/9. But, captain Babar Azam and no. 11 Mohammad Abbas delayed West Indies’ victory with a 49-run partnership for the last wicket.Abbas scored 23 before being dismissed by Seales shortly after the tea break on Day 4, ending Pakistan’s fightback.
Babar stood 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 off 81 balls when Pakistan were struggling at 88/9. The other batters managed only 38 runs between them.After the defeat, Babar admitted that Pakistan’s batting was not good.“We have played good cricket in the past few days but today we have not reached the mark as a batting unit. We have lost back-to-back wickets. Let’s see that it does not happen again in the next matches,” said Babar.The second Test of the series begins on Sunday.
Pakistan suffered another batting collapse
Pakistan’s second loss reflected their first innings problems.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 posted 311 in their first innings.Except for: Shan MasoodCenturies and half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq (63) and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting lacked consistency. In two innings, only six Pakistan batters scored double figures.Masood’s injury made things difficult for Pakistan. After hurting his hand in the first innings, he was forced to bat at No. 8 instead of his usual position of No. 3.
West Indies set up a match-winning run
West Indies resumed Day 4 at 126/7 with a lead of 155 runs. Shamar Joseph added 16 runs to his overnight score of 22, while: Kemar Roach: contributed 13 as West Indies pushed their lead past 200.The target proved too much for Pakistan as Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for just three runs early in 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 has crossed double figures with a score of 11.
Seales and Greaves led the West Indies attack
Seales received good support from Kemar Roach and Justin Greaves, who picked up 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 took 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 two West Indies innings.