282/10 (80.1)
CR : 3.52
311/10 (98.5)
CR : 3.15
West Indies won by 90 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Justin Greaves
5/27 & 2/1215(31) & 20(44)
Babar Azam’s Batting Stats as Test captain:
Matches: 21
Innings: 37
Runs: 1808
Average: 51.65
100s: 4
50s: 12
Highest: 196
Matches: 21
Innings: 37
Runs: 1808
Average: 51.65
100s: 4
50s: 12
Highest: 196
Time for post-match presentations...
Player of the Match: Justin Greaves
Justin Greaves (POTM): "(Will he rank this performance as his career best?) Yeah, it's right up there. Whatever it takes to help the team get over the line, I always try to put my best foot forward. To contribute to a Test win like this, especially the first time we've played at this stadium, is really special for us.
(What worked for him and team?) Just being disciplined. One of the things we spoke about in the dressing room after the first innings was that we needed to start better, and we did that. From there, it was just about staying as disciplined as possible.
(On bowling strategy on this surface) Watching Mohammad Abbas was a big help. He bowled exceptionally well against us in both innings, and the lengths he bowled were generally on the fuller side. I just tried to replicate that, and thankfully it worked out for us.
(Preparation for Tests) A lot of that is managed by the medical staff. For me, once we get into the practice sessions, it's about being very detailed in my preparation and then trying to execute those plans when the game starts."
(What worked for him and team?) Just being disciplined. One of the things we spoke about in the dressing room after the first innings was that we needed to start better, and we did that. From there, it was just about staying as disciplined as possible.
(On bowling strategy on this surface) Watching Mohammad Abbas was a big help. He bowled exceptionally well against us in both innings, and the lengths he bowled were generally on the fuller side. I just tried to replicate that, and thankfully it worked out for us.
(Preparation for Tests) A lot of that is managed by the medical staff. For me, once we get into the practice sessions, it's about being very detailed in my preparation and then trying to execute those plans when the game starts."
Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain): (On Pakistan's defeat) "I think we played good cricket over the last two days, but today, as a batting unit, we were not up to the mark. We kept losing wickets one after another, and that cost us the game. It's something we need to work on, and hopefully we'll improve in the next match.
(On the chase and the batting collapse) The surface was good. We expected the new ball to do a little because that's natural, and we were prepared for that. I thought the West Indies bowlers used the conditions really well. By the fourth day, there was a bit of variable bounce, but our biggest problem was that we couldn't build partnerships. Once you get through the first 20 overs, batting becomes easier, but we weren't able to do that.
(On Shan Masood's finger injury) Unfortunately, Shan's finger injury wasn't good for us, and we certainly missed him. But regardless of that, if you play the new ball well, survive the early overs, and build partnerships, you can put yourself in a strong position. We weren't able to do that.
(On turning things around ahead of the next Test) We'll sit together as a group and discuss where we went wrong. Results aren't always in your hands, but what we can control is learning from our mistakes. We'll do our best to correct those things and come back stronger in the next Test."
(On the chase and the batting collapse) The surface was good. We expected the new ball to do a little because that's natural, and we were prepared for that. I thought the West Indies bowlers used the conditions really well. By the fourth day, there was a bit of variable bounce, but our biggest problem was that we couldn't build partnerships. Once you get through the first 20 overs, batting becomes easier, but we weren't able to do that.
(On Shan Masood's finger injury) Unfortunately, Shan's finger injury wasn't good for us, and we certainly missed him. But regardless of that, if you play the new ball well, survive the early overs, and build partnerships, you can put yourself in a strong position. We weren't able to do that.
(On turning things around ahead of the next Test) We'll sit together as a group and discuss where we went wrong. Results aren't always in your hands, but what we can control is learning from our mistakes. We'll do our best to correct those things and come back stronger in the next Test."
Roston Chase (West Indies Captain): "(Dedicating the win to Sir Garfield Sobers) Yeah, it's a great feeling. We really want to dedicate this victory to the late, great Sir Garfield Sobers. Even before the game, we had a chat and said we wanted to come out here and make him proud. I hope he's smiling where he is right now.
I also want to thank the Trinidad crowd for coming out and supporting us. It wasn't a huge crowd, but those who came gave us enough energy and encouragement to go out there and put in a strong performance.
(What pleased him the most about this victory?) I think it was the effort the bowlers put in after the second hour yesterday. We didn't get any wickets in the first hour, but the patience and discipline we showed in that second hour were magnificent. I think we picked up five or six wickets during that period, and I felt that really set the game up for us to win.
(On players taking responsibility) Yeah, I love it. I love the way this team is progressing. We're not relying on just one or two players; everyone is contributing at crucial moments. We sat together yesterday evening and spoke about adding at least another 50 runs this morning.
Shamar Joseph and the tail-enders really applied themselves, and I think that gave us the confidence we needed to come away with the win today.
(On getting extra day off) Yeah, it's always a lovely feeling to get an extra day off, so I'm happy about that."
I also want to thank the Trinidad crowd for coming out and supporting us. It wasn't a huge crowd, but those who came gave us enough energy and encouragement to go out there and put in a strong performance.
(What pleased him the most about this victory?) I think it was the effort the bowlers put in after the second hour yesterday. We didn't get any wickets in the first hour, but the patience and discipline we showed in that second hour were magnificent. I think we picked up five or six wickets during that period, and I felt that really set the game up for us to win.
(On players taking responsibility) Yeah, I love it. I love the way this team is progressing. We're not relying on just one or two players; everyone is contributing at crucial moments. We sat together yesterday evening and spoke about adding at least another 50 runs this morning.
Shamar Joseph and the tail-enders really applied themselves, and I think that gave us the confidence we needed to come away with the win today.
(On getting extra day off) Yeah, it's always a lovely feeling to get an extra day off, so I'm happy about that."
Lowest Innings Total for Pakistan vs West Indies in a Test Innings:
77/10, Lahore, 1986
81/10, Bridgetown, 2017
104/10, Lahore, 1959
106/10, Bridgetown, 1958
120/10, Tarouba, 2026, This Match*
77/10, Lahore, 1986
81/10, Bridgetown, 2017
104/10, Lahore, 1959
106/10, Bridgetown, 1958
120/10, Tarouba, 2026, This Match*
Stat: Pakistan failed to chase a target of 211, their second-lowest unsuccessful fourth-innings chase against West Indies after 188 at Bridgetown in 2017.
Most Consecutive Away Test Match Defeats for Pakistan:
8* - 2023- 2026 (streak ongoing)*
7 - 2018-2020
6 - 2016-2017
8* - 2023- 2026 (streak ongoing)*
7 - 2018-2020
6 - 2016-2017
HEROES OF THE MATCH? Who stood tallest when the pressure was at its highest? There wasn't just one hero. There were several. Justin Greaves rightly walked away with the Player of the Match award after producing match-defining performances with both bat and ball. His 20 runs in the second innings came when every run mattered, but it was his breathtaking 5/27 in Pakistan's first innings that completely changed the course of the Test. Just when Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq had put Pakistan in command, Greaves ripped through the middle and lower order to limit the visitors' lead to only 29 runs.
Alongside him, Jayden Seales delivered the knockout punch with a sensational 5/20 in the fourth innings, while Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph kept asking questions throughout the match. For Pakistan, Shan Masood's magnificent 109, Mohammad Abbas' outstanding 5/22, and Babar Azam's unbeaten 58 in the chase deserved enormous credit. One stat summed up the contest perfectly - all 40 wickets in the match were claimed by seam bowlers, making it a memorable advertisement for fast bowling.
West Indies have drawn first blood and now carry a 1-0 lead into the second and final Test of the series. Pakistan will leave Tarouba believing they were in the contest for long periods, but also knowing they failed to seize the decisive moments. The hosts, meanwhile, will take immense confidence from a complete team performance where different players stepped up at different times. If this opening Test delivered four days of drama, twists, and relentless pace bowling, what could the series finale have in store? Another battle of patience and spirit, perhaps.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Mohammad Anab, scorer Ashok Dayma, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!
Alongside him, Jayden Seales delivered the knockout punch with a sensational 5/20 in the fourth innings, while Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph kept asking questions throughout the match. For Pakistan, Shan Masood's magnificent 109, Mohammad Abbas' outstanding 5/22, and Babar Azam's unbeaten 58 in the chase deserved enormous credit. One stat summed up the contest perfectly - all 40 wickets in the match were claimed by seam bowlers, making it a memorable advertisement for fast bowling.
West Indies have drawn first blood and now carry a 1-0 lead into the second and final Test of the series. Pakistan will leave Tarouba believing they were in the contest for long periods, but also knowing they failed to seize the decisive moments. The hosts, meanwhile, will take immense confidence from a complete team performance where different players stepped up at different times. If this opening Test delivered four days of drama, twists, and relentless pace bowling, what could the series finale have in store? Another battle of patience and spirit, perhaps.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Mohammad Anab, scorer Ashok Dayma, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!