Babar Azam ends Pakistan's wait for away Test win, saves series vs West Indies
Pakistan ended a three-year wait for an away Test victory after Babar Azam’s side defeated the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Wednesday, drawing the two-match series 1-1. The victory marked a significant turnaround for Pakistan, who had entered the contest on the back of eight consecutive away Test defeats and were desperate to avoid another series loss.
Pakistan’s last away Test win had come against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2023, also under Babar’s captaincy. Since then, the team endured a torrid run on foreign soil, losing eight successive away Tests. During Shan Masood’s tenure as captain, Pakistan failed to win any of their seven away Tests before the Pakistan Cricket Board reinstated Babar as skipper ahead of the West Indies and England tours.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 2nd Test: Highlights | Scorecard
The victory also gave Pakistan their first Test triumph in the Caribbean in five years and breathed fresh life into a side that had come under intense scrutiny after losing the series opener by 90 runs. Although Pakistan levelled the series, they remain at the bottom of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship standings.
SHAFIQUE LAYS THE PLATFORM, BOWLERS FINISH THE JOB
Pakistan’s victory was built on a commanding first-innings performance led by Abdullah Shafique, whose marathon 160 helped the visitors post 387 in reply to the West Indies’ 344. Babar also contributed a fluent 88, but his wait for a Test century continued despite another assured innings. Shafique’s knock was historic, making him the first Pakistan batter since 1977 to score 150 or more in a Test innings in the West Indies.
With a first-innings lead of 43 runs, Pakistan’s bowlers ensured the advantage counted. Sajid Khan claimed four wickets while Ali Usman chipped in with two as the West Indies were bundled out for 117 in their second innings. The collapse left Pakistan needing just 75 runs for victory.
The visitors made light work of the chase, reaching 77 for two in 23.3 overs. Babar remained unbeaten on 24, while Abdullah Shafique finished not out on 24 as Pakistan sealed the win with eight wickets in hand.
TIMELY BOOST BEFORE ENGLAND CHALLENGE
Beyond levelling the series, the result could prove crucial for Pakistan’s confidence ahead of a much tougher assignment in England later this month. The PCB had restored Babar as Test captain in a bid to revive the team’s fortunes after a difficult period under Shan Masood, and the immediate response has been encouraging.
While there is still plenty of work to do after remaining rooted to the bottom of the World Test Championship table, ending the prolonged away losing streak provides Pakistan with much-needed momentum.
The victory also highlighted the importance of experienced performers, with Shafique’s landmark innings, Babar’s composed batting and the disciplined bowling attack combining to deliver one of Pakistan’s most significant overseas Test wins in recent years.
– Ends
