Pakistan ended an eight-match away losing streak in Test cricket by beating West Indies by eight wickets in the second and final Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on August 5, 2026. The visitors reached 77-2 shortly after lunch on the fourth day to complete the chase of 75 and draw the series 1-1.
Abdullah Shafique, who made a century in Pakistan’s first innings, and captain Babar Azam were both unbeaten on 24 when the result was sealed. Babar finished the match with back-to-back sixes against left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose six-wicket first-innings haul had helped restrict Pakistan’s lead to 43.
The result was significant for Pakistan after a difficult run overseas. Their previous away Test win had come against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar’s first spell as captain. Pakistan had lost eight consecutive Tests away from home before this match, including the opening defeat of the series at Tarouba.
Spinners drive Pakistan’s response in Port of Spain
Pakistan’s selection decision proved central to the turnaround. Babar left out fast bowler Mohammad Abbas in favour of an additional spinner after assessing conditions at Queen’s Park Oval, and the slow bowlers made the difference in West Indies’ second innings.
West Indies were bowled out for 117, setting Pakistan a modest target. Off-spinner Sajid Khan returned 4-32 and left-arm spinner Ali Usman took 4-39 as the pair shared eight wickets. Their work on a wearing surface left Pakistan with a manageable chase and gave the visitors a route back into a series they had trailed after the first Test.
West Indies resumed their second innings on 106-3, only 60 runs ahead, but their lower order resistance ended quickly. Usman removed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph. Justin Greaves, the last recognised batter, added two runs before playing on to Mohammad Ali after attempting a cross-batted shot and getting a substantial inside edge.
West Indies were also without opening batter Brandon King in the second innings. King had sustained a back injury on day three, when he ran out Babar with a direct throw from shot cover.
Pakistan then lost two wickets during the chase. Imam-ul-Haq was caught by Greaves in the slips for nine in Jayden Seales’ first over, while Azan Awais was bowled by Shamar Joseph for 18. Shafique and Babar ensured there would be no further setback, taking Pakistan beyond the target inside four days.
Babar said Pakistan had executed their plans in both disciplines. He pointed to Shafique’s batting and the impact of the spinners in the second innings, while explaining that the pitch had looked more like conditions in Pakistan and had influenced the decision to select the extra spinner.
Series finishes level after contrasting Test results
West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs at Tarouba, but Pakistan’s victory in Port of Spain ensured the two-match contest finished level. It also maintained Pakistan’s unbeaten Test-series record against West Indies since 2000.
West Indies captain Roston Chase said his side was disappointed after aiming for a 2-0 series win. He said the team could perhaps have included an extra spinner, but added that West Indies had played good cricket in the previous two series and were moving in the direction he wanted.
For Pakistan, the win offers a timely response following a prolonged red-ball slump away from home. After Babar returned as captain, Pakistan had lost the first Test of this series, extending the run that had followed away series defeats in Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh under former captain Shan Masood. The second-Test performance, led by the spin attack and completed by Shafique and Babar, delivered a result that reset the series and ended that sequence.
