West Indies win first Test by 90 runs vs Pakistan

The West Indies beat Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 28, 2026, moving 1-0 ahead in the two-match series. Fast bowler Jayden Seales led the decisive push on the final day, taking five wickets as Pakistan’s chase unravelled.

Pakistan began the fourth innings needing 211 to win, but were dismissed for 120 in a little over 40 overs. Captain Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 58, yet Pakistan were unable to build the partnerships required to stay in the chase against the West Indies pace attack.

Seales’ five-for breaks the chase open

Officials said Seales finished the fourth innings with five wickets for 20 runs, a spell that repeatedly cut through Pakistan’s batting order. At one stage, Pakistan were 71-9, leaving the result effectively decided long before the target could come back into view.

A late stand from the lower order briefly delayed the inevitable, but the West Indies completed the job to secure a clear win in the series opener. The collapse meant Pakistan fell well short of the 211 required, despite Azam’s resistance through the innings.

How the match was set up and what comes next The West Indies had earlier taken a 29-run lead after the first innings, a cushion that shaped the rest of the match. They then made 181 in their second innings, setting Pakistan the 211-run target for the final day.

The team said the victory was dedicated to the late Garry Sobers, who died earlier in July. Sobers is widely regarded as one of cricket’s standout figures, and the dedication was presented as a tribute alongside the on-field result.

The series now moves to Port of Spain for the second and final Test, which is scheduled to start on Sunday, July 26, 2026. With the West Indies holding a 1-0 lead, the remaining match will decide whether they close out the series or whether Pakistan level it.

Key uncertainties for the next Test include whether Pakistan can stabilise their batting after the fourth-innings collapse, and whether the West Indies pace unit can reproduce the same level of control and penetration. The final match will also determine how much influence Seales’ match-winning spell has on the series outcome beyond this opener.