Port of Spain: Pakistan captain Babar Azam said it was the team’s execution that mattered most after his side ended a three-year drought away from home with an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval on Tuesday.
Chasing 75 for victory, Babar finished the job in style on day 4, hitting consecutive sixes off Jomel Warrican to seal the win early. It was Pakistan’s first Test victory away from home since July 2023.
The result levels the two-match ICC World Test Championship series at 1-1 and lifts Pakistan above West Indies into eighth place on the WTC standings.
Abdullah Shafique was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 160 in the first innings that set up the win. Babar also played a key role, scoring 88 in the first innings and remaining unbeaten at the end.
Babar’s decision to pick an extra spinner also paid off. Pakistan left out in-form pacer Mohammad Abbas, and the gamble worked as Sajid Khan and Ali Usman shared six wickets in West Indies’ second innings.
“When we saw the pitch it looked similar to conditions in Pakistan,” Babar said.
“We decided to play an additional spinner and it impacted our combinations, which meant leaving out senior players.
Obviously you are satisfied when you win, but the most important thing was the way we executed our plans.
The way Abdullah played in the first innings and the way the spinners bowled in the second innings made the difference.”
Shafique, who only joined the squad after Abdullah Fazal was ruled out with a back injury before the first Test, was emotional about his return.
“This felt like a debut for me, it was really unexpected,” he said.
“I haven’t been able to get opportunities recently, but as a professional you have to work toward a comeback and give your best.” Pakistan now head to England for a three-match Test series starting at Headingley on August 19.
