Marcus Stoinis celebrates Southern Brave’s 12-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix after scoring 34 and taking 2 for 16 in The Hundred 2026 at Southampton.

Marcus Stoinis Turns 128 Into History as Southern Brave Finally Break Through Against Birmingham Phoenix

Southern Brave finally broke their losing run as Marcus Stoinis and a disciplined bowling attack defended 128 against Birmingham Phoenix at the Utilita Bowl.

Published

1 week ago

July 30, 2026

Kimberly Statton

Southern Brave had spent the opening phase of The Hundred 2026 discovering increasingly painful ways to lose.

They had been beaten on the same Southampton ground by Welsh Fire, then carried MI London to the final ball without finding the finish. Their batting remained uncertain, their points column stayed empty, and another modest total against Birmingham Phoenix appeared to have left them exposed once again.

This time, Brave refused to let the game slip.

Marcus Stoinis scored 34 from 26 balls before producing a remarkably controlled spell of 2 for 16 as Southern Brave defended 128 for eight to defeat Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs in Match 13 of The Hundred 2026 at the Utilita Bowl.

Phoenix needed only 129 from 100 balls, a required rate of 1.29 runs per delivery. They never truly controlled the chase. Regular wickets, poor tempo through the middle, and 60 dot balls across the innings left them stranded on 116 for nine.

The result gave Southern Brave their first men’s victory of the season and created a piece of tournament history. Their total of 128 became the lowest successfully defended score in the men’s competition.

For a side that had repeatedly fought without reward, the relief around Southampton was understandable.

TL;DR

Southern Brave defeated Birmingham Phoenix by 12 runs at the Utilita Bowl.
Brave scored 128 for eight from their 100 balls.
Phoenix finished on 116 for nine despite needing fewer than 1.3 runs per ball.
Marcus Stoinis was named Match Hero after scoring 34 and taking 2 for 16.
Luke Wood claimed 3 for 24, including two wickets in the final five balls.
Jofra Archer conceded only 21 runs and delivered 12 dot balls.
Rehan Ahmed took 3 for 25 during Brave’s innings.
Will Smeed top-scored for Phoenix with 35 from 28 balls.
Brave’s 128 was the lowest successful defense in the history of the men’s Hundred.
Southern Brave collected four points, while Birmingham Phoenix received none.

Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix Match Summary

Match Detail	Information
Competition	The Hundred Men’s Competition 2026
Match	Match 13
Date	July 30, 2026
Venue	Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Toss	Birmingham Phoenix elected to field
Southern Brave	128/8 from 100 balls
Birmingham Phoenix	116/9 from 100 balls
Result	Southern Brave won by 12 runs
Match Hero	Marcus Stoinis, 34 and 2/16
Attendance	11,181
Points	Southern Brave 4, Birmingham Phoenix 0

Brave’s Batting Never Looked Comfortable

Birmingham Phoenix captain Donovan Ferreira chose to field first, a decision that appeared sensible almost immediately.

The Southampton surface looked fresh, but it did not reward free-flowing stroke play. The ball gripped, held in the pitch, and occasionally arrived more slowly than the batters expected. Southern Brave had already learned how demanding the Utilita Bowl could be during their earlier defeat to Welsh Fire, when Phil Salt adapted better than anyone else to another awkward chase.

Jamie Smith began positively with a boundary but fell after five balls, caught by Mitchell Owen off Ben Dwarshuis for six.

Ben McKinney offered a brief burst of aggression. His 18 from nine balls included two fours and a six, and he helped Brave reach 38 for one at the end of the 25-ball powerplay.

The innings did not accelerate from there.

McKinney fell to Owen at 40, while Tom Abell struggled to turn a start into momentum. Abell made 22 from 19 balls before Rehan Ahmed had him stumped by Joe Clarke.

Brave were 55 for three after 44 deliveries. Their scoring rate remained manageable, but there was no clear path toward a total that looked safe.

Stoinis Builds the Only Substantial Innings

Stoinis entered with Brave needing control and enough power to prevent the innings from drifting.

He provided both, although the conditions never allowed him to dominate completely.

The Australian all-rounder scored 34 from 26 balls, striking two fours and two sixes. His innings was the highest score of the match for Brave and represented the closest thing either side produced to a complete batting performance.

Stoinis did not simply swing at every ball. He accepted the difficulty of the surface, waited for hittable lengths, and tried to preserve enough wickets for the final phase.

He added 32 with Abell before joining David Miller in another useful partnership. Brave reached 87 for three after 64 balls, which placed them in position to push toward 145 if one batter could stay until the end.

Rehan Ahmed prevented that possibility.

Stoinis attempted to attack the leg-spinner and was caught by Ferreira for 34. Rehan then removed Tristan Stubbs for five, completing a highly effective middle-overs spell.

His 3 for 25 from 20 balls was the best bowling return of the first innings. The performance continued Rehan’s growing influence as an all-rounder, although his later dismissal during the chase would become one of several moments when Phoenix lost control.

Miller Cannot Find a Final Surge

David Miller occupied the crease for 21 balls but never fully escaped the pressure created by Phoenix’s slower bowlers and boundary protection.

He made 24 without hitting a four, with his only six providing a rare release. His strike rate of 114.28 was understandable in the conditions, yet Brave needed someone to find 15 or 20 more runs during the closing phase.

Instead, the innings stalled badly.

Chris Jordan fell for three, Miller was dismissed at 116, and Jofra Archer was run out two balls later without scoring. Brave had slipped from 104 for four to 116 for eight.

Luke Wood’s late 10 from five balls, including a six, lifted the total to 128. Those runs appeared minor at the time. By the end of the evening, they looked invaluable.

Brave finished with only 11 boundaries across the innings: seven fours and four sixes. Phoenix produced an excellent collective bowling display, with Dwarshuis taking 2 for 18 and conceding only 0.90 runs per ball.

Usman Tariq also impressed without taking a wicket, allowing only 17 runs from 20 balls. Owen conceded four from his five, while Ferreira gave up seven from five.

The contrast with Birmingham’s explosive opening win over Trent Rockets could hardly have been sharper. In that match, Phoenix produced one of the season’s most entertaining batting displays, a performance explored in The Sports Encounter’s report on their early Hundred campaign.

At Southampton, they were asked to win through patience instead.

A Target That Should Have Been Manageable

A chase of 129 from 100 balls should offer a team several routes to victory.

Phoenix did not need one batter to score 70. They did not require constant six-hitting or a reckless powerplay. A controlled sequence of partnerships, with the required rate held close to one run per ball, should have been enough.

The match instead became a lesson in how dot balls and regular wickets can distort even a modest chase.

Jofra Archer and Luke Wood immediately established the tone. Archer’s pace and hard lengths made scoring uncomfortable, while Wood attacked the stumps and used changes of pace effectively.

Joe Clarke managed only seven from 10 balls before Stoinis removed him, caught by Stubbs. Phoenix completed the powerplay on 28 for one, exactly 10 runs behind Brave’s powerplay score.

The difference was not decisive. The lack of rhythm was more concerning.

Smeed Starts, Then Leaves Too Soon

Will Smeed played the most substantial Phoenix innings, scoring 35 from 28 balls with three fours and a six.

He looked capable of controlling the chase once he settled, but his dismissal arrived before Phoenix had established a secure platform.

Wood removed him at 52 after 47 balls, with Miller taking the catch. Phoenix still needed 77 from 53 deliveries, an entirely achievable equation with nine wickets initially available.

Rehan Ahmed joined Smeed in a 24-run partnership but scored only 16 from 16 balls. His innings included one six but no four, an indication of how difficult it was to rotate the strike cleanly.

Chris Jordan dismissed Rehan at 64, and three balls later the chase suffered its sharpest blow.

Ferreira was bowled by Archer for one.

Phoenix had lost two wickets for one run and slipped to 65 for four after 61 balls.

The game had not escaped them yet. They needed 64 from 39 balls. The required rate remained below 1.65 runs per ball, but every new batter now had to begin against a bowling attack that fully understood the pitch.

Stoinis Uses His Batting Knowledge With the Ball

Stoinis later explained that batting first had helped him understand which areas were hardest to score from.

That knowledge shaped his bowling.

Rather than searching for dramatic movement or excessive variation, he relied on consistency and subtle changes of pace. He targeted difficult lengths, denied the batters room, and forced Phoenix to manufacture shots.

His dismissal of Laurie Evans was especially important.

Evans had accelerated with 18 from 11 balls, including three fours. He appeared capable of giving the chase the momentum it had lacked. Stoinis removed him at 83 after 70 balls, with Jamie Smith taking the catch.

That wicket left Phoenix needing 46 from 30.

Stoinis completed his full 20-ball allocation with 13 dot balls, two wickets, and only 16 runs conceded. His economy of 0.80 runs per ball was extraordinary in a match where Phoenix’s target should have allowed them to attack selectively.

His all-round contribution also continued the form he had shown in Southern Brave’s last-ball defeat to MI London, when he took 3 for 17 and nearly rescued another low total. The Sports Encounter analyzed that earlier performance in its report on Will Jacks holding MI London together against Brave.

This time, Stoinis had enough support to finish the job.

Rashid Tightens the Middle Overs

Adil Rashid’s figures were almost as influential as Stoinis’.

The experienced leg-spinner conceded only 18 from 20 balls, delivered 10 dots, and dismissed Mitchell Owen for seven.

Owen tried to break the pressure with a six but was bowled soon afterward. Phoenix were 89 for six after 77 balls, leaving them 40 runs short with 23 balls remaining.

Sean Dickson remained, and his unbeaten 20 from 13 gave Birmingham a faint route back into the game. His innings included one four and two sixes, providing the late power that had been missing earlier.

Dickson found little support.

Dwarshuis made four from eight balls. The lower order could not rotate the strike, while Wood continued attacking the stumps and forcing mistakes.

The Final Five Balls Confirm Brave’s Breakthrough

Phoenix reached 115 for six after 95 balls, requiring 14 from the final five.

The equation remained difficult but not impossible, particularly with Dickson at the crease.

Wood removed Dwarshuis on ball 96, caught by Miller. Scott Currie was then caught behind from the next delivery without scoring.

Saqib Mahmood was run out on ball 98, with Rashid completing the fielding play.

Three wickets had fallen without the score moving.

Phoenix managed only one run from the last two balls and closed on 116 for nine.

Wood finished with 3 for 24 from 20 balls. His final set turned a tense defense into a decisive 12-run victory.

Why Phoenix Lost a Chase They Should Have Controlled

Birmingham’s failure cannot be explained by one dismissal.

The larger problem was tempo.

Phoenix faced 60 dot balls across the innings. That meant three-fifths of their chase produced no run. In a pursuit of 129, the target should have allowed them to avoid desperate hitting, but the accumulation of dots kept transferring pressure to the next delivery and the next batter.

Only Evans and Dickson scored at better than 1.5 runs per ball. Clarke, Rehan, Ferreira, Owen, Dwarshuis, Currie, and Mahmood combined for 35 runs from 49 balls.

Phoenix also failed to build one defining partnership.

Their best stand was 24 between Smeed and Rehan. Southern Brave did not allow any pair to settle long enough to take ownership of the chase.

The contrast with other successful chases in the tournament is significant. Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran added an unbeaten 93 from 40 balls when MI London recovered from early trouble against Sunrisers Leeds. Phil Salt stayed to the end against Brave, while Will Jacks anchored MI London’s tense chase in Southampton.

Phoenix had starts. They lacked a batter willing and able to remain until the target was almost finished.

Brave’s Bowlers Win Through Collective Control

Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Dot Balls
Luke Wood	20	24	3	7
Jofra Archer	20	21	1	12
Marcus Stoinis	20	16	2	13
Adil Rashid	20	18	1	10
Chris Jordan	20	35	1	5

The figures show how completely Brave controlled the game.

Archer, Stoinis, and Rashid conceded a combined 55 runs from 60 balls while delivering 35 dots. Wood supplied the wickets at the end. Jordan was the only bowler to concede more than 1.2 runs per delivery, but he still removed Rehan at an important stage.

Brave’s attack understood that the pitch rewarded patience. They did not chase magic balls or allow the frustration of defending 128 to affect their plans.

That composure was missing in earlier defeats. It was the central reason they finally reached the points column.

Marcus Stoinis Deserved the Match Hero Award

Stoinis’ score of 34 may not appear spectacular beside the usual standards of modern franchise cricket.

Context made it invaluable.

He scored more than a quarter of Brave’s total, struck two of their four sixes, and helped prevent the innings from collapsing before the final phase.

His bowling then changed the match. Clarke and Evans represented different threats: Clarke was an opener who could have settled into the chase, while Evans had already started accelerating. Stoinis removed both and conceded fewer runs than any bowler who completed 20 balls.

After the match, he admitted Brave were relieved to finally close out a tight contest.

“We’re pumped, we needed that,” Stoinis said. “We’ve had close games but got over the line.”

He also explained the difficulty of setting a target on a fresh surface.

“It’s hard batting first, fresh wicket today, hard to know what a good score is,” he said. “An extra 10 runs might have made that a lot easier.”

His most revealing comments concerned the advantage gained from batting before bowling.

“You know how to bowl on it,” Stoinis said. “As an allrounder you know what felt hard to hit. On a wicket like this, it was just consistency and subtle changes.”

The performance was not based on one dramatic over. It came from reading the conditions better than the opposition and repeating a simple plan without losing nerve.

What the Result Means for Southern Brave

Southern Brave collected four points and finally gave themselves a route back into the men’s competition.

The victory does not solve every problem.

Their batting remains fragile. Brave have repeatedly failed to turn reasonable positions into strong totals, while too much responsibility has fallen on Stoinis, Miller, Smith, and Stubbs.

Still, this defense can change the mood around the squad.

Previous close matches ended with Brave regretting missed opportunities. Against MI London, they defended 129 until the final ball but lost. Against Phoenix, they improved their control at the most important moments and protected an even smaller score.

That difference matters psychologically.

A team sitting near the bottom can quickly lose belief when tight games repeatedly go the other way. Brave now have evidence that their bowling attack can win matches even when the batting leaves almost no margin.

They face London Spirit next at Lord’s on August 1, according to the official Southern Brave fixture schedule. Another victory would turn a poor start into a genuine recovery.

What the Defeat Means for Birmingham Phoenix

Phoenix will view this as a missed opportunity.

Their bowlers restricted Brave to 128, took eight wickets, and created a chase that should have suited a deep batting order.

Instead, their batters allowed the surface and scoreboard pressure to dictate the game.

Phoenix now need to recover quickly before facing Welsh Fire at Edgbaston on August 1. Their opening victory over Trent Rockets showed how dangerous the batting can be when Clarke, Smeed, and the middle order attack with freedom.

This defeat exposed the other side of that approach.

When boundaries became harder to find, Birmingham lacked enough strike rotation and failed to identify one batter who could manage the chase from beginning to end.

The same issue has appeared in several matches during the opening phase of the tournament. The wider concern over the competition’s crowds and changing identity was recently explored in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of whether The Hundred is losing popularity among English cricket fans. Matches like this still show the format’s sporting value. A target that looked routine became tense because every ball carried tactical importance.

Helix Trophy Boost for Southern Brave

The victory also carried value beyond the men’s table.

Southern Brave Women had already continued their excellent start by moving to four wins from four. The combined results placed the franchise at the top of the joint Helix Trophy standings.

The Helix Trophy rewards the combined performance of the men’s and women’s teams, giving every double-header additional meaning.

Brave’s women have provided consistency. The men finally added the result their performances had threatened without delivering.

That balance gives the Southampton franchise one of the strongest combined positions in the tournament, even though the men still have significant work ahead.

Key Turning Points

Moment	Why It Mattered
Stoinis reaches 34 from 26 balls	His innings gave Brave enough substance to reach a defendable total.
Rehan Ahmed removes Abell, Stoinis, and Stubbs	Phoenix prevented Brave from building toward 145 or more.
Luke Wood scores 10 from five balls	His late runs lifted Brave from 116 to 128 and ultimately widened the winning margin.
Smeed falls for 35	Phoenix lost the only top-order batter who had begun to settle.
Rehan and Ferreira fall within three balls	Phoenix slipped from a controlled chase into a rebuilding situation.
Stoinis dismisses Evans	The fastest-scoring Phoenix batter was removed before he could take over the chase.
Wood takes two wickets in two balls	The final threat disappeared as Phoenix lost three wickets without adding a run.

Final Verdict: Brave Finally Learn How to Finish

Southern Brave did not suddenly solve their batting problems.

They won because their bowlers refused to let a poor total define the result.

Stoinis read the pitch as a batter, then used that information to control the chase. Archer removed Ferreira and delivered 12 dot balls. Rashid squeezed the middle overs. Wood finished the match with three wickets.

Phoenix never needed a heroic chase. They needed calm partnerships, regular rotation, and one batter to remain deep into the innings. Instead, they allowed dots to accumulate, lost wickets whenever momentum appeared, and finished 12 runs short of a target that had initially looked modest.

For Brave, the importance of the victory extends beyond four points.

They had fought hard in earlier matches. They had threatened comebacks. They had taken one chase to the final delivery. None of it had produced a win.

At the Utilita Bowl, 128 was finally enough.

The lowest successful defense in the men’s Hundred became Southern Brave’s first victory of 2026, and the man who had nearly rescued them three nights earlier finished the job this time.

Marcus Stoinis gave Brave the runs, the wickets, and the control they had been missing.

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Kimberly Statton

Breaking News

Harper and Asalanka Punish Colombo’s Chaos as Galle Reach LPL Final

Sam Harper’s commanding 77 and Charith Asalanka’s composed 59 carried Galle Gallants past Colombo Kaps and into the LPL 2026 final against Jaffna Kings.

Published

1 hour ago

August 7, 2026

Serina Ramgopallan

Galle Gallants, Colombo Kaps, Lanka Premier League 2026, Sam Harper, Charith Asalanka

Colombo Kaps scored quickly enough to threaten Galle Gallants, but they never batted long enough to control the match.

That difference decided Qualifier 2.

Colombo lost five wickets inside seven overs, recovered through Rubin Hermann and Ravindu Fernando, and then surrendered its remaining batting resources before completing 20 overs. Galle responded with a far calmer chase, riding Sam Harper’s masterful 77 and Charith Asalanka’s 59 to reach 177 for four in 18.4 overs.

The six-wicket victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium sends Galle into Saturday’s Lanka Premier League 2026 final against Jaffna Kings. Colombo’s promising playoff run ends one victory short of the title match.

TL;DR

Galle Gallants chased 177 in 18.4 overs to win Qualifier 2 by six wickets.
Sam Harper led the chase with 77 from 51 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Charith Asalanka scored 59 from 42 and shared a match-defining 126-run partnership with Harper.
Colombo recovered from 52 for five to reach 176, but was bowled out in 18.5 overs.
Dasun Shanaka’s constant bowling changes prevented Colombo from controlling the innings.
Galle will face Jaffna Kings in the LPL 2026 final on August 8.

Galle Gallants vs Colombo Kaps Scorecard

Detail	Information
Competition	Lanka Premier League 2026, Qualifier 2
Venue	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Date	August 7, 2026
Toss	Colombo Kaps elected to bat
Colombo Kaps	176 all out in 18.5 overs
Galle Gallants	177/4 in 18.4 overs
Result	Galle Gallants won by six wickets
Top Galle batter	Sam Harper, 77 from 51 balls
Galle support	Charith Asalanka, 59 from 42 balls
Top Colombo batters	Ravindu Fernando 48; Rubin Hermann 45
Best Galle bowling	Sachindu Colombage 2/34; Charith Asalanka 2/34
Turning point	Harper and Asalanka added 126 after Galle slipped to 21/1
What comes next	Galle face Jaffna Kings in the August 8 final

Colombo’s Run Rate Hid a Deeper Batting Failure

A total of 176 from 18.5 overs suggests aggression. The scorecard tells a harsher story.

Colombo fell to 20 for three before the third over had ended. Sadeera Samarawickrama made five, Thanuka Dabare scored 11, and captain Kamindu Mendis managed one. Janith Liyanage briefly counterattacked with 23 from nine balls, but his dismissal left the Kaps at 47 for four.

James Neesham then fell for one, reducing Colombo to 52 for five in 6.1 overs.

The Kaps kept swinging when the situation called for one decisive partnership. That approach produced boundaries, but it repeatedly exposed new batters before they had understood the surface or match situation.

Hermann supplied some resistance with 45 from 33 balls. Ravindu Fernando changed the innings’ pace with five sixes in a 27-ball 48, while Malsha Tharupathi contributed a valuable 28 from 17. Their hitting dragged Colombo toward a defendable total, yet the team lost its seventh wicket at 158 in the 17th over and was dismissed with seven balls unused.

Those missing deliveries mattered. Even at a modest late-innings rate, Colombo could have added another 10 to 15 runs. Against a Galle batting lineup that eventually needed eight runs from the final eight balls, that extra cushion could have changed the pressure entirely.

Colombo had shown much better knockout control while eliminating Kandy, as detailed in The Sports Encounter’s report on McDermott, Neesham and Wanuja Sahan ending the Royals’ campaign. Qualifier 2 exposed the opposite version of their batting.

Shanaka Kept Searching Until Galle Found Control

Dasun Shanaka’s captaincy deserves as much credit as the wickets.

Colombo’s batters attacked nearly every bowling matchup, which could easily have forced a captain into defensive thinking. Shanaka continued rotating his options instead. Six bowlers entered the attack, preventing any Colombo batter from settling against one repeated pace or angle.

Charith Asalanka conceded 34 from three overs but removed Dabare and Kamindu. Mohammad Nawaz delivered the evening’s most economical spell, taking one for 12 from two overs. Akif Javed and Tharindu Ratnayake collected one wicket each, while Sachindu Colombage returned two for 34.

The changes did not stop every boundary. They kept producing questions, and Colombo’s reckless shot selection eventually supplied the answers.

Galle had already beaten the Kaps twice during the league stage, including a 13-run victory that secured a top-two finish. Shanaka again showed why his team has handled changing match situations better across the tournament.

Harper and Asalanka Remove the Panic From the Chase

Galle lost Thomas Rogers for 13 at 21 for one, giving Colombo the early opening it needed. Harper and Asalanka closed it with patience, strike rotation and controlled aggression.

Their 126-run partnership lasted 84 balls. Harper struck four fours and four sixes during his 77 from 51, while Asalanka contributed three fours and four sixes in a 42-ball 59.

Both batters understood that the required rate demanded intent without desperation. They targeted weaker deliveries, kept the scoreboard moving between boundaries and denied Colombo the clusters of wickets that had damaged the first innings.

Harper has repeatedly shaped Galle’s successful chases. His earlier 65 against the same opponent helped produce another victory, covered in The Sports Encounter’s report on Galle’s five-wicket win over Colombo.

Asalanka again provided the calm middle-overs influence that defined his 65 in Galle’s opening victory over Jaffna.

Colombo dismissed Asalanka, Harper and Chamika Karunaratne late, but the damage had already been done. Shanaka completed the chase with a six, finishing unbeaten on eight from three balls.

The Final Brings Galle Back to Jaffna

Galle’s reward is an immediate rematch with Jaffna Kings, who defeated them by 14 runs in Qualifier 1 after Kamil Mishara’s unbeaten century.

Jaffna will enter the final rested and confident after posting 242 for two in that meeting. Galle arrives with momentum, a proven chasing structure and fresh evidence that Harper and Asalanka can manage knockout pressure.

The official Lanka Premier League schedule confirms that the final will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium on August 8. Readers can follow the buildup through The Sports Encounter’s Lanka Premier League coverage hub and wider cricket reporting and analysis.

Colombo leaves with clear evidence of its attacking ability, but also with the question that ended its season: why keep swinging when the match was asking someone to stay?

Galle found the balance Colombo could not. One more victory will make them champions.

Breaking News

Pakistan Leave Trinidad With Relief, West Indies With Regret After a Series That Exposed Both

Published

22 hours ago

August 6, 2026

Hamad Hussain

Pakistan Leave Trinidad With Relief, West Indies With Regret After a Series That Exposed Both

Pakistan needed 75 runs to prevent Babar Azam’s return as Test captain from beginning with another overseas series defeat. West Indies needed early wickets to protect a home summer that had finally restored some belief in their red-ball cricket.

By the time Babar launched Jomel Warrican for consecutive sixes at Queen’s Park Oval, the pressure had found its answer. Pakistan had won the second Test by eight wickets, ended their longest away losing streak and leveled a closely contested series 1-1.

The scoreline suited the cricket. West Indies handled the seam-friendly conditions better in Tarouba. Pakistan read the turning surface more accurately in Port of Spain. Both teams found players capable of changing Tests, yet neither produced enough consistency to claim the series.

Readers can revisit the original expectations in our West Indies vs Pakistan series preview and follow further international coverage through The Sports Encounter’s Cricket Hub.

TL;DR

West Indies won the first Test at Tarouba by 90 runs before Pakistan answered with an eight-wicket victory in Port of Spain.
Justin Greaves produced a historic five-wicket spell and shared Player of the Series honors with Babar Azam.
Abdullah Shafique marked his unexpected recall with an unbeaten 160 and earned Player of the Match in the second Test.
Babar and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed made four changes, including the surprising omission of Mohammad Abbas.
Roston Chase admitted West Indies underestimated how early the second-Test pitch would turn and should have selected another spinner.
Babar sustained a bruised finger during Pakistan’s final chase, but there is currently no indication that he will miss the first Test against England.

West Indies vs Pakistan 2026 Test Series Results

Detail	First Test	Second Test
Venue	Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba	Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain
Dates	July 25-28, 2026	August 2-5, 2026
West Indies totals	311 and 181	344 and 117
Pakistan totals	282 and 120	387 and 77/2
Result	West Indies won by 90 runs	Pakistan won by eight wickets
Player of the Match	Justin Greaves	Abdullah Shafique
Defining performance	Greaves took 5/27 and 2/12	Shafique scored 160 not out
Series result	Drawn 1-1	Drawn 1-1
Players of the Series	Babar Azam and Justin Greaves	Babar Azam and Justin Greaves

Tarouba: Pakistan Created Chances, West Indies Took Them

The opening Test gave Pakistan several opportunities to control the match. That made the eventual 90-run defeat more troubling than the margin alone suggested.

West Indies made 311 after Kavem Hodge scored 84 and Shai Hope contributed 92. Pakistan’s seamers kept the innings within reach, with Mohammad Ali taking 4/50 and Mohammad Abbas collecting 3/63.

Shan Masood answered with 109, the first Test century recorded at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. His 155-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, who made 63, brought Pakistan back into the contest after an early setback.

Masood’s innings carried added meaning because he had recently lost the captaincy. He responded as an experienced batter should, focusing on the match rather than turning his hundred into a public statement about the leadership change.

Pakistan reached a position from which they could have secured a first-innings advantage. Greaves changed the direction of the match with one of the most productive spells seen in recent Test cricket.

Justin Greaves Finds the Length That Pakistan Could Not Handle

Greaves took five wickets during five consecutive wicket-maiden overs, becoming the first bowler in Test history to achieve that sequence. His 5/27 restricted Pakistan to 282 and protected a 29-run West Indies lead.

The all-rounder later revealed that he had watched Abbas and copied the Pakistan seamer’s fuller length. That small technical adjustment delivered a historic spell.

Greaves added two wickets in the second innings to finish with match figures of 7/39. Our first-Test report from Tarouba explains how his control and Jayden Seales’ pace turned Pakistan’s promising positions into another painful defeat.

West Indies’ Tail Changes the Chase

Pakistan regained control through Abbas in West Indies’ second innings. He took 5/22, repeatedly challenging the stumps and making scoring difficult. Mohammad Ali supported him with two wickets as the hosts slipped to 93/7.

Shamar Joseph then attacked his way to 38 from 27 balls. Kemar Roach and the remaining lower order provided enough support to push West Indies to 181, leaving Pakistan 211 to win.

Those lower-order runs became one of the series’ major turning points. A chase closer to 160 would have felt manageable. Passing 200 increased the pressure on a batting side with a damaging recent record in second innings.

Seales exploited that vulnerability by taking 5/20. Pakistan collapsed for 120 while Babar remained stranded on 58 not out. The captain showed patience and resilience, but no partnership survived long enough to support him.

West Indies deserved the victory because they controlled the final exchanges of each innings. Pakistan played good cricket in long stretches, yet their inability to remove the tail and protect Babar in the chase proved decisive.

Four Changes Reveal the Intent Behind Babar 2.0

The defeat left Babar and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with a difficult decision. They could retain the same combination and demand better execution, or reshape the team for a Queen’s Park Oval surface expected to offer more assistance to spin.

They chose change.

Shan’s fractured left index finger ruled him out, creating an opening for Abdullah Shafique. Pakistan also brought in Awais Zafar, Sajid Khan and Ubaid Shah. Awais and Ubaid received their Test debuts.

Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas and the injured Shan made way. Abbas’ omission attracted the most attention because he had taken eight wickets in Tarouba and almost rescued the opening match.

The selection made sense once the surface began to turn. Pakistan strengthened the batting order, added an experienced off-spinner and retained Ali Usman as the left-arm option.

Those who followed our earlier analysis of Babar Azam’s return as Test captain will recognize why the decision mattered. His second tenure needed a visible tactical identity. Port of Spain provided the first convincing evidence of one.

Sajid Khan Prevents West Indies From Escaping

West Indies still reached a respectable 344 after winning the toss. Greaves made 73, Chase scored 70 and Brandon King contributed 46.

Sajid prevented a larger total with 4/85. He bowled long spells, changed pace intelligently and gave Babar enough control to rotate Mohammad Ali, Ubaid and Ali Usman around him.

The decision to select two specialist spinners had already started working. West Indies would later regret failing to make the same adjustment.

Abdullah Shafique Turns an Unexpected Recall Into a Series-Saving Innings

Shafique had not entered the tour as an automatic selection. Shan’s injury created the opening, and the recalled batter treated it like a fresh start.

“This comeback match felt like a debut for me,” Shafique said. “I had been working hard for the last one year.”

His unbeaten 160 came from 323 balls and included 15 fours and three sixes. The innings carried patience, technical discipline and a clear understanding of the match situation. Shafique became the first Pakistan batter since 1977 to score more than 150 in a Test innings in the West Indies.

Azan Awais also justified Pakistan’s faith with 55. The young opener handled the new ball carefully and helped establish a platform before Shafique and Babar took command.

Babar’s 88 Restores Authority but Extends His Century Drought

Babar joined Shafique with Pakistan still needing a substantial stand. Their 183-run third-wicket partnership became the central passage of the match.

The captain scored 88 from 147 balls, striking 10 fours and a six. He appeared set for his first Test hundred since making 161 against New Zealand in December 2022 before a mix-up with Shafique ended in King’s direct-hit run-out.

That dismissal extended Babar’s Test century drought beyond three and a half years. His wider contribution still carried significant weight. He finished the series with 193 runs, more than any other batter, and earned a share of the Player of the Series award.

Pakistan reached 387, with Sajid’s 30 helping secure a 43-run lead. The advantage looked modest, but it forced West Indies to bat against two spinners on a deteriorating surface.

Roston Chase Admits West Indies Got Their Balance Wrong

West Indies retained an unchanged XI despite moving from a seam-dominated Tarouba pitch to a surface offering increasing turn at Queen’s Park Oval.

That decision became one of the defining mistakes of the series.

Warrican remained the only specialist spinner in the team. Chase could normally have provided another off-spin option, but his finger injury prevented him from bowling a meaningful number of overs. Greaves then sustained a leg injury and could not bowl at all.

In his post-match interview, Chase admitted that West Indies had underestimated the conditions.

“I don’t want to say we misread the pitch, but we didn’t think that it was going to spin as much from so early,” he said.

The captain also accepted that West Indies should have found room for another spinner.

“We probably would have gone with an extra spinner,” Chase said while reconsidering the team combination.

Joshua Bishop had earned his first Test call-up after taking 119 wickets in 25 first-class matches, but West Indies left him out. His inclusion would have given the team another specialist spin option as the pitch deteriorated.

Chase also felt his fast bowlers took too long to adapt. They continued searching aggressively for wickets when the surface required patience, changes of pace and control of one side of the field.

Pakistan selected for the conditions before the match. West Indies started adjusting after Shafique and Babar had already taken control.

Sajid Khan and Ali Usman Finish the Job

Pakistan’s 43-run lead became decisive when Sajid and Ali Usman attacked together in West Indies’ second innings.

Sajid varied his pace and challenged the right-handed batters around the front pad. Ali Usman created a different angle from the opposite end and kept the stumps involved.

West Indies fell to 103/6 by stumps on Day 3 and lasted less than half an hour the following morning. Sajid took 4/32, Ali Usman returned 4/39, and the hosts were dismissed for 117.

Mohammad Ali added another wicket and ended the series as its leading bowler with nine dismissals.

King could not bat after sustaining a lower-back injury while completing the run-out of Babar. His absence hurt, although the remaining batters still failed to negotiate Pakistan’s spin pair with enough clarity.

The collapse left Pakistan requiring only 75. For a complete account of the series-leveling victory, read our Pakistan vs West Indies second-Test report.

Babar’s Injury Creates a Question Before England

Pakistan’s victory came with one late concern. Babar hurt his finger during the final chase and required treatment before continuing his innings.

The injury did not prevent him from batting. He remained unbeaten on 24 and finished the match with consecutive sixes off Warrican. Babar later described the problem as soreness and bruising.

“Right now it’s a bit sore, but I think it’s fine. It’s a little bit bruised,” he said during the presentation ceremony.

Based on that assessment, the injury currently appears minor. Pakistan have not reported a fracture, announced further medical tests or listed Babar as doubtful for the opening Test against England at Headingley on August 19.

Almost two weeks separate the Trinidad Test from the start of the England series. That recovery window should be sufficient for a minor bruise, although Pakistan’s medical staff will monitor his grip, pain level and ability to train.

English conditions make complete recovery important. Movement and bounce can expose a sore bottom hand or finger, particularly when fast bowlers attack the body.

Babar’s availability appears safe at this stage. His case also looks far less serious than Shan’s fractured finger, which could affect the former captain’s participation at Headingley.

The Seven Turning Points of the Series

Turning point	Why it mattered
Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq added 155	Pakistan recovered from an early wicket and threatened to take control in Tarouba
Greaves took five wickets in five consecutive maidens	West Indies protected a valuable 29-run first-innings lead
Shamar Joseph scored 38 from 27 balls	The West Indies tail pushed Pakistan’s target to 211
Seales took 5/20	Pakistan collapsed for 120 and lost the opening Test
Pakistan made four changes	Babar and Sarfaraz rebuilt the team for Port of Spain’s spin-friendly conditions
Shafique and Babar added 183	Pakistan moved past West Indies and created a decisive first-innings lead
Sajid and Ali Usman took four wickets each	West Indies fell for 117, leaving Pakistan only 75 to win

What West Indies Learned From Their Home Summer

West Indies finished their 2026 home Test season with a 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka and a 1-1 draw against Pakistan. After years of frequent red-ball disappointment, that represents progress.

Amir Jangoo’s 233 against Sri Lanka gave the team a potential long-term middle-order anchor. His 401-run sixth-wicket partnership with Chase set a Test record and showed that West Indies can build matches through sustained batting.

Hope supplied stability and led West Indies’ run-scoring against Pakistan with 146. Greaves established himself as a valuable all-round option. Seales reached 100 Test wickets during the Sri Lanka series before collecting eight against Pakistan. Shamar Joseph continued to provide express pace and fearless lower-order hitting.

Chase also enhanced his standing as captain. He scored important runs, communicated a clear ambition to improve West Indies at home and guided the team through an unbeaten Test summer.

His selection in Port of Spain deserves scrutiny, but his honest post-match assessment showed accountability. West Indies now need to turn those lessons into greater adaptability.

The emotional significance of the summer also connected with the passing of a Caribbean icon. Our tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers and his unmatched all-round legacy provides the wider historical context behind West Indies’ dedication in Tarouba.

What Pakistan Found and What Still Needs Repair

Pakistan leave Trinidad with several useful answers. Shafique has reopened the selection conversation. Azan showed the temperament required of a Test opener. Mohammad Ali produced nine wickets through persistence and control. Sajid and Ali Usman proved they can operate as an effective pairing when conditions suit spin.

Babar’s captaincy also gained credibility. Leaving Abbas out after an eight-wicket match carried risk, but Pakistan selected for the new surface rather than rewarding the previous scorecard.

Serious questions remain. Pakistan were bowled out for 120 while chasing 211 in Tarouba. Their management of opposition tailenders remains inconsistent. Babar’s century drought continues, while Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha did not make the sustained contributions expected from senior middle-order batters.

Pakistan’s broader fast-bowling direction also remains unsettled. The omission of Shaheen Afridi and the decision to rest Abbas in Port of Spain show how quickly the hierarchy has changed, an issue examined in our analysis of Shaheen Afridi’s red-ball career crossroads.

England Will Give Babar 2.0 a Harder Examination

Pakistan begin a three-Test series against England at Headingley on August 19. Lord’s hosts the second Test from August 27, with the final match scheduled at Edgbaston from September 9.

England are also entering a leadership transition. Joe Root has returned as Test captain, while Marcus Trescothick will oversee the Pakistan series before Stephen Fleming takes permanent charge. Our report on Joe Root’s captaincy return and England’s red-ball reset explains the challenge awaiting Pakistan.

English conditions will require a different balance. Abbas could return immediately, while Sajid’s place may depend on the Headingley surface. Shan’s recovery will affect whether Shafique retains his position, although dropping the Player of the Match after an unbeaten 160 would create another difficult selection debate.

The series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. Pakistan remain well outside the leading qualification positions, making the search for a reliable Test identity more realistic than talk of reaching the final.

Final Takeaway: A Fair Draw With Unequal Emotions

West Indies can feel encouraged by an unbeaten home Test summer, the growth of Chase’s captaincy and the emergence of several dependable performers. They can also regret allowing a 1-0 lead to disappear through an inflexible selection and a second-innings collapse.

Pakistan leave with greater relief. Their eight-match away losing streak has ended, Babar’s leadership has its first meaningful result, and Shafique has returned with an innings that could revive his career.

The 1-1 scoreline reflected an evenly fought series. It also left both teams with work ahead. West Indies need a batting order and selection strategy that adapt more quickly to changing conditions. Pakistan must prove that Port of Spain represented the beginning of better decision-making rather than another brief recovery between crises.

England will provide the next answer. Until then, Trinidad belongs equally to Greaves’ historic spell, Shan’s landmark hundred, Shafique’s comeback and Babar’s two winning sixes.

Visit The Sports Encounter for more match reports, series reviews and international cricket analysis.

West Indies vs Pakistan Test Series FAQs

Who won the West Indies vs Pakistan Test series in 2026?

The two-match series ended 1-1. West Indies won the opening Test by 90 runs, while Pakistan won the second Test by eight wickets.

Who was named Player of the Series?

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves shared the Player of the Series award.

Who scored the most runs?

Babar led the series with 193 runs. Shai Hope topped the West Indies batting list with 146.

Who took the most wickets?

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Ali finished with a series-high nine wickets. Jayden Seales led West Indies with eight.

Will Babar Azam play the first Test against England?

Babar described his finger injury as soreness and bruising. Pakistan have not reported a fracture or listed him as doubtful, so he is currently expected to play at Headingley.

When does the England vs Pakistan Test series begin?

The first Test begins at Headingley on August 19, 2026.

Breaking News

Raza’s Late Power Carries MI London Through Lord’s Chase

Sikandar Raza supplied the late power after Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran rebuilt the chase, carrying MI London past London Spirit with six balls remaining at Lord’s.

Published

22 hours ago

August 6, 2026

Kimberly Statton

Raza’s Late Power Carries MI London Through Lord’s Chase

London Spirit had 160 runs to defend and the Lord’s crowd behind them, but their room for error had disappeared long before the final six balls. When Sikandar Raza began finding the boundary, a competitive contest turned into another damaging defeat for a team whose qualification hopes were already fading.

Raza struck four sixes in a rapid 32 from 16 balls after Nicholas Pooran and captain Sam Curran had repaired MI London’s chase. Their combined work carried the visitors to 164 for six from 94 balls, completing a four-wicket victory on Thursday, August 6.

The result moved MI London onto 16 points and strengthened their control of a top-three place. Spirit remained on four points and, with only two matches left, were mathematically eliminated from the knockout race.

TL;DR

MI London chased 161 in 94 balls to win by four wickets.
Sikandar Raza’s 32 from 16 balls, featuring four sixes, provided the decisive acceleration.
Nicholas Pooran made 39, while Sam Curran added a measured 33.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius led London Spirit with an explosive 52 from 28 balls.
Nathan Sowter and Trent Boult took two wickets each to restrict Spirit to 160 for five.
MI London strengthened their qualification position, while Spirit’s top-three hopes ended.

MI London vs London Spirit Scorecard

Detail	Information
Match	London Spirit vs MI London
Competition	The Hundred Men’s Competition 2026
Date	August 6, 2026
Venue	Lord’s, London
Toss	MI London won the toss and bowled
London Spirit	160/5 from 100 balls
MI London	164/6 from 94 balls
Result	MI London won by four wickets with six balls remaining
Top Performer	Sikandar Raza, 32 from 16 balls
Leading Spirit Batter	Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 52 from 28 balls
Best MI London Bowlers	Trent Boult 2/35; Nathan Sowter 2/29
Turning Point	Curran and Raza added 41 from 18 balls
Tournament Impact	MI London climbed to 16 points; Spirit were eliminated

Pretorius Gives Spirit an Aggressive Start

MI London chose to bowl and quickly removed Jonny Bairstow, but Pretorius refused to let the early wicket dictate the innings. The South African prospect attacked pace and spin with clean swings, reaching 52 from only 28 balls with five fours and three sixes.

His willingness to hit through the line gave Spirit momentum, although the innings became increasingly dependent on him. Liam Livingstone struggled to six from nine balls, while Dewald Brevis managed four from nine.

Nathan Sowter changed the shape of the innings by removing Livingstone and Pretorius. Spirit slipped from 61 for one to 79 for three, losing their most dangerous batter before he could launch a sustained assault through the final quarter.

David Willey responded with 31 from 18 balls, but another cluster of wickets left Spirit at 118 for five after 80 balls. James Coles and Jamie Overton then rescued the finish, adding 42 from the last 20 deliveries. Coles remained unbeaten on 30 from 23, while Overton struck 13 from six.

A total of 160 offered Spirit something to defend. It also felt short of what Pretorius’ innings had briefly promised.

Boult finished with two for 35, while Sowter’s two for 29 gave MI London control during the middle phase. Their work continued a campaign in which the franchise’s power hitters have frequently received a useful platform from the bowling unit, as seen in MI London’s victory over Manchester Super Giants.

Pooran and Curran Rebuild the Chase

MI London lost Will Jacks and James Vince inside the first 31 balls, leaving the chase delicately placed at 48 for two. Spirit had created pressure, and Lord’s began to sense that 160 might be enough.

Pooran settled the situation without abandoning his natural aggression. He scored 39 from 25 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, and shared a 43-run partnership with Curran.

Their approach mattered as much as the runs. Pooran forced Spirit to protect the boundary, while Curran worked the spaces and kept the required rate under control. Pooran’s dismissal at 91 for three gave the hosts another opening, but Raza immediately refused to let the pressure settle.

Curran and Raza added 41 from 18 balls, the partnership that decided the match. Raza targeted the short boundary and punished anything delivered in his hitting arc. His four sixes transformed a manageable chase into one MI London could finish without needing the final set.

Curran departed for 33 from 23, and Spirit removed Sherfane Rutherford before Raza fell with six runs still required. Tom Curran and Ollie Pope completed the job, with Pope’s boundary taking MI London to 164 for six.

Jamie Overton led Spirit’s attack with two for 23, but the bowlers could not contain all three of Pooran, Sam Curran and Raza. That middle-order depth also proved decisive in MI London’s earlier win over Southern Brave.

Updated Hundred 2026 Points Table

Standings immediately after this match. Net run rate is omitted because the official table had not yet refreshed it.

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points
1	Trent Rockets	6	5	1	20
2	MI London	6	4	2	16
3	Welsh Fire	6	4	2	16
4	Manchester Super Giants	6	3	3	12
5	SunRisers Leeds	5	3	2	12
6	Southern Brave	6	2	4	8
7	London Spirit	6	1	5	4
8	Birmingham Phoenix	5	1	4	4

The top team advances directly to the final, while second and third contest the Eliminator. MI London now have four wins from six and hold a strong position with two league matches remaining.

Their next game against Trent Rockets on August 8 could influence both the direct-final race and the battle for home advantage in the Eliminator. The wider qualification picture remains available through The Sports Encounter’s cricket coverage hub, including analysis of Trent Rockets’ campaign against Birmingham Phoenix.

Spirit can reach only 12 points by winning their remaining matches. With the third-placed side already on 16, their elimination is confirmed. That outcome completes a difficult stretch that included Jofra Archer’s destructive spell against Spirit and the record-breaking batting assault they suffered at Headingley.

MI London Find the Depth Spirit Lack

Pretorius gave London Spirit the most exciting individual innings of the night, but MI London produced contributions across both disciplines. Sowter and Boult controlled the first innings before Pooran, Curran and Raza divided the responsibility of the chase.

Spirit found another promising player in Pretorius, yet their inability to build around his innings exposed the problem that has followed them through the tournament. MI London, by contrast, found an answer each time the match tightened.

That difference left one side looking toward the knockout stage and the other facing two remaining fixtures with pride, development and selection planning as its principal rewards.https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/sentinel/frame.html?sv=20260423af3c