match away Test losing streak with series

Pakistan end eight-match away Test losing streak with series-levelling win over West Indies

Chasing a modest target of 75, Pakistan reached 77/2 shortly after lunch on Day 4, with Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam remaining unbeaten on 24 apiece to seal the victory.

By Tarkesh Jha

Pakistan brought an end to their eight-match away losing streak in Test cricket with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Queen's Park Oval on Wednesday, levelling the two-match series 1-1.

Chasing a modest target of 75, Pakistan reached 77/2 shortly after lunch on Day 4, with Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam remaining unbeaten on 24 apiece to seal the victory.

Babar fittingly finished the chase in style, smashing back-to-back sixes off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose six-wicket haul in Pakistan's first innings had helped restrict the visitors' lead to just 43 runs.

The result ensured Pakistan remained unbeaten in a Test series against the West Indies since 2000, bouncing back after suffering a 90-run defeat in the opening Test at Tarouba.

Pakistan's spin attack once again proved decisive on a deteriorating Queen's Park Oval surface. Sajid Khan returned figures of 4/32 while left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed 4/39 as the West Indies were dismissed for 117 in their second innings.

The hosts resumed the fourth day on 106/3 with a lead of 60 runs but failed to mount significant resistance. Usman removed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph, while Mohammad Ali dismissed Justin Greaves, who played onto his stumps after adding just two runs to his overnight score.

West Indies were also hampered by the absence of opener Brandon King, who did not bat in the second innings after sustaining a back injury while effecting a direct-hit run out of Babar Azam on Day 3.

Pakistan's chase was not entirely straightforward as they lost Imam-ul-Haq for nine to Jayden Seales in the opening over before Azan Awais was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18.

However, first-innings centurion Shafique and Babar combined to steer the visitors home without further alarms.

The victory marked Pakistan's first away Test win since defeating Sri Lanka in 2023 under Babar's previous stint as captain.

In the intervening period under Shan Masood's leadership, Pakistan endured a difficult run overseas, suffering series defeats in Australia (3-0), South Africa (2-0) and Bangladesh (2-0), before also losing the opening Test of this series against the West Indies.

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