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.

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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.