First Test: Pakistan make shaky start to 211-run chase against West Indies

Abbas's five-wicket haul helped Pakistan dismiss West Indies for modest total of 181 in their second innings

Sports Desk

Published July 28, 2026

Pakistans Mohammad Abbas (third from left) celebrates taking a wicket with teammates during the third day of their first Test against West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on July 27, 2026. — AFP — Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas (third from left) celebrates taking a wicket with teammates during the third day of their first Test against West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on July 27, 2026. — AFP

Fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Kemar Roach shared three wickets to leave Pakistan in trouble during their chase of 211 against the West Indies in the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.

At lunch on Day 4, Pakistan were 28-3, with captain Babar Azam unbeaten on 16 and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan on one. The visitors require a further 183 runs to win the series opener.

Mohammad Abbas's five-wicket haul helped Pakistan dismiss West Indies for a modest total of 181 in their second innings on the penultimate day of the first Test.

The home side, resuming their second innings from 126/7 at the commencement of the fourth day, added valuable 55 runs to their total for the remaining three wickets and were thus bowled out for 181 in 54.5 overs.

Since the West Indies had secured a slender 29-run lead by dismissing Pakistan for 282 after piling up 311 in their first innings, the visitors are set a decent target of 211 to win the series opener.

Lower-order batters Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach, who resumed West Indies' second innings at the start of the fourth day's play, continued to frustrate the Pakistan bowlers by stretching their overnight partnership to 61 runs.

Right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali gave Pakistan the much-needed breakthrough as he outfoxed Joseph with a slower delivery in the fifth over of the day. The left-handed batter top-scored for the home side with a 27-ball 38, laced with four sixes and a four.

Meanwhile, Roach eventually fell victim to Abbas in the 53rd over of West Indies' innings after lobbing a straightforward catch to Pakistan captain Babar Azam at short cover and walked back after scoring 18 off 63 deliveries.

No.10 batter Jomel Warrican further added to Pakistan's frustration with a 20-ball 14 until being cleaned up by Abbas, who finished with sensational bowling figures of 5/22 in his 15.5 overs.

Abbas was supported by fellow pacers Ali and Khurram Shahzad, who bagged two wickets each, while all-rounder Aamir Jamal chipped in with one scalp.