Babar Azam’s return as captain ends Pakistan’s 8-Test away nightmare, seals West Indies series draw
Babar Azam’s Captaincy Return Ends Pakistan’s Away Test Woes
Bharatmorningnews.com – Pakistan’s prolonged struggles on foreign soil came to an end on Wednesday as they secured an emphatic eight-wicket triumph against the West Indies, leveling the contest. This victory marked the conclusion of an eight-match losing streak in away Test matches for the team, with Babar Azam s return as captain proving instrumental in turning fortunes around. The win not only halted the slump but also sealed a series draw in the Caribbean.
A New Era Begins Under Babar’s Leadership
Abdullah Shafique, who had already registered a century in the opening innings, and Babar Azam—making his first series appearance since being reinstated as skipper—steered Pakistan to 77-2. Both batsmen remained unbeaten on 24 runs apiece as the visitors clinched the win shortly after the lunch interval on Day 4 of the second Test. The partnership showcased the renewed confidence within the squad under their former captain’s guidance.
Babar sealed the chase with consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican. The West Indies bowler had earlier restricted Pakistan’s advantage to just 43 runs with a remarkable six-wicket performance in the first innings, demonstrating the competitive spirit of the hosts throughout the series.
Spinners Dominate at Queen’s Park
While the West Indies claimed the opening Test by 90 runs at Tarouba, the second encounter showcased the dominance of Pakistani spinners. Sajid Khan and Ali Usman capitalized on deteriorating conditions on a wearing Queen’s Park Oval surface, ensuring Pakistan maintained their unbeaten record in Test series against the Caribbean side since the year 2000.
West Indies’ chase began poorly with the early dismissal of Imam-ul-Haq, who was brilliantly caught by Justin Greaves in the slips for just nine runs off Jayden Seales’ opening delivery. Azan Awais followed suit, departing for 18 runs after being bowled by Shamar Joseph, setting up a comfortable target for Pakistan.
Modest Target Proves Manageable
Earlier in the day, the West Indies had posted a modest target of 75 runs after being dismissed for 117. Off-break bowler Sajid claimed 4-32 while left-arm spinner Usman contributed 4-39, with the pair sharing eight wickets between them. Their combined effort proved decisive in securing the series draw.
Opening batter Brandon King missed the second innings entirely due to a back injury. He had sustained the problem on Day 3 while executing a spectacular direct throw from short cover to run out Babar. His absence weakened the West Indies’ lower-order resilience during the crucial chase.
Resuming their chase on 106-3, the West Indies tailenders offered brief resistance before falling quickly. Usman removed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph in succession. The last recognized batter, Greaves, attempted a cross-batted shot but played on to Mohammad Ali’s delivery, collecting a significant inside edge to add just two runs to his tally.
Historical Context of Away Success
Pakistan’s previous away Test victory came against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar’s initial stint as captain. Following that success, Shan Masood led the side for nearly three years, during which the team suffered defeats of 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa, and 2-0 in Bangladesh. The pattern of away struggles had become increasingly concerning for cricket fans.
After being relieved of his duties following Pakistan’s poor run in red-ball cricket, Babar’s return as captain initially saw the team lose the first Test at Tarouba—marking Pakistan’s eighth away defeat in three years. However, this latest victory signals a potential turning point in their overseas campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Pakistan’s away Test record before Babar Azam’s return? Pakistan had suffered eight consecutive away Test defeats spanning nearly three years, including losses in Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh under Shan Masood’s captaincy.
How did Babar Azam perform in his return match? Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 24 runs in the second Test, contributing to Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory and helping seal the series draw against the West Indies.
Who were the key bowlers in Pakistan’s victory? Sajid Khan and Ali Usman were the standout performers, claiming 4-32 and 4-39 respectively, sharing eight wickets between them in the West Indies’ second innings.
When was Pakistan’s last away Test win before this series? Pakistan’s previous away Test victory came against Sri Lanka in 2023 during Babar Azam’s initial stint as captain, ending a long drought in overseas Test cricket.