After hammered in the first encounter, Pakistan will face West Indies in the second cricket Test of the two-match series starting in Port of Spain from tomorrow.
The Test series reaches its decisive stage as the two sides prepare to meet in the second and final Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad, beginning on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
With valuable World Test Championship points on the line, the second Test promises to be a fiercely contested battle between the two pace attacks.
In the first Test, West Indies posted 311 in the first innings thanks to Shai Hope’s 92 and Kavem Hodge’s 84 despite Mohammad Ali claiming four wickets. Pakistan responded with 282 runs, powered by Shan Masood’s excellent 109, before Justin Greaves ripped through the middle order with figures of 5 for 27.
Pakistan appeared to seize control after Mohammad Abbas bowled West Indies out for 181 with a superb 5 for 22, leaving a target of 211. However, Jayden Seales produced one of the finest spells of fast bowling in recent years, taking 5 for 20 as Pakistan collapsed to 120 all out, handing the West Indies a comprehensive victory.
Pakistan’s bowlers demonstrated they can trouble the hosts, particularly through Mohammad Abbas’ masterful seam bowling. The biggest concern remains the batting unit, which has struggled repeatedly in overseas conditions.
If Pakistan can survive the new-ball spell and post competitive first-innings runs, they have the bowling quality to push the hosts deep into the contest. However, another batting collapse would almost certainly hand West Indies the series.
Pakistan have suffered a major blow with news that key batter Shan Masood will miss the second Test due to a finger injury.
Shan Masood had suffered the injured during the first Test against the Caribbean side in Trinidad when he was struck on the finger by a Jayden Seales delivery in Pakistan’s first innings as the West Indies went on to record a 90-run victory.
Experienced duo Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel were added to the squad when Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the series with a back injury prior to the first Test and will come into consideration, while uncapped right-hander Awais Zafar is in contention to earn a debut.
Pakistan currently sit in ninth place on the World Test Championship standings, one spot below the West Indies.
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI
Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Awais Zafar, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas.
West Indies Predicted Playing XI
Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
