**Seales Takes Five Wickets as West Indies Beat Pakistan in First Test**
In a remarkable display of fast bowling, Jayden Seales led the West Indies to a 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test match held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 28, 2026. This win marks a significant start for the West Indies in the two-match Test series.
After securing a 29-run lead in the first innings, the West Indies set a challenging target for Pakistan by scoring 181 runs in their second innings, bringing the total target to 211 runs. The West Indies bowlers, particularly Seales, showcased their skills in the fourth innings, dismantling the Pakistani batting lineup for just 120 runs in a little over 40 overs.
Seales delivered an outstanding performance, claiming five wickets for only 20 runs, marking his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His pace and precision were instrumental in routing the Pakistani team, which struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets in quick succession. The West Indies' bowling attack was relentless, and Pakistan found themselves in dire straits at 71-9 before a late resistance from captain Babar Azam and number 11 batsman Mohammad Abbas, who scored 58 and 23 runs respectively.
Babar Azam's innings was the highlight for Pakistan, as he fought valiantly to keep the innings alive. However, the lack of substantial partnerships throughout the innings ultimately proved detrimental to Pakistan's chances of chasing down the target. The team’s batting woes were further compounded by the injury of Shan Masood, who fractured his finger during the first innings. Masood, who batted at number eight in the second innings, managed only three runs before being dismissed by Seales.
West Indies captain Roston Chase dedicated the victory to the late cricketing legend Garry Sobers, who passed away earlier that month. “We wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match. I hope he is smiling down on us,” Chase remarked after the match. He expressed confidence in the team’s direction, emphasizing that the success was a collective effort rather than relying on individual performances.
Reflecting on the match, Babar Azam acknowledged the shortcomings of his team, stating, “Today, as a batting unit, we weren’t up to the mark. We kept losing wickets back-to-back, and the batting failed. That’s something we’re working on.” His comments highlight the need for improvement as Pakistan prepares for the second Test.
The second and final Test match of the series is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Port of Spain, where both teams will look to build on their performances from the first match. For the West Indies, maintaining their momentum will be crucial, while Pakistan will aim to regroup and bounce back after a disappointing outing in the opening Test.