TAROUBA, Trinidad: Pakistan stand on the cusp of a morale-boosting victory in the first Test, needing just 211 runs on the final day after veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas produced a masterful five-wicket haul to dismiss the West Indies for a modest 181 in their second innings at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.
All 2️⃣0️⃣ West Indies wickets across both innings fall to Pakistan pacers! ⚡
Pakistan are set a target of 211 runs for victory in the first Test 🎯#WIvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/MhsBahwWqZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 28, 2026
The 34-year-old Abbas, playing his first Test since 2021, rolled back the years with a spell of immaculate seam bowling, finishing with sensational figures of 5/22 in 15.5 overs to dismantle the home side’s lower order after they had threatened to frustrate Pakistan with stubborn resistance. With the West Indies having secured only a slender 29-run first-innings lead, the visitors are now firmly in the driver’s seat with a gettable target of 211 to win the series opener.
Abbas strikes early to break stubborn lower-order resistance
Resuming the penultimate day at a precarious 126/7 with a lead of 155 runs, the West Indies lower order had other ideas. Overnight batters Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach extended their partnership to 61 runs, batting with grit and determination to push Pakistan’s bowlers into unfamiliar territory.
7️⃣th Test five-wicket haul for Mohammad Abbas! 🔥
An excellent spell sees him finish with figures of 5-22 from 15.5 overs 👏#WIvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/eZlipwTGIl
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 28, 2026
Joseph, in particular, was the aggressor, smashing a 27-ball 38 that included four towering sixes and a four, keeping the home side’s hopes alive. However, right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali provided the crucial breakthrough in the fifth over of the day, outfoxing Joseph with a well-disguised slower delivery to end his entertaining knock.
Roach, who had dug in for 63 deliveries, eventually fell to the relentless Abbas, lobbing a straightforward catch to Pakistan captain Babar Azam at short cover after scoring a dogged 18. No.10 batter Jomel Warrican added to Pakistan’s frustration with a quickfire 14 off 20 balls before Abbas cleaned him up to seal his five-wicket haul.
Pakistan’s bowling attack fires in unison
Abbas was ably supported by his fellow pacers, with Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad claiming two wickets apiece, while all-rounder Aamir Jamal chipped in with one scalp. The collective effort ensured that West Indies could only add 55 runs to their overnight total, bowled out for 181 in 54.5 overs.
The modest total set Pakistan a target of 211, well within reach on a pitch that, while offering variable bounce and seam movement, has not shown any demons that would make run-scoring impossible. Pakistan’s top order, led by the in-form Babar Azam and the experienced Abdullah Shafique, will be confident of chasing down the runs on the final day.
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Pakistan’s innings collapse earlier in match
The visitors had earlier conceded a 29-run lead after being bowled out for 282 in their first innings, despite a fighting century from former captain Shan Masood. West Indies had posted 311 in their first outing, with Justin Greaves producing a historic five-wicket haul to trigger Pakistan’s collapse from a commanding 244/4 to 282 all out.
However, Abbas’s heroics with the ball have turned the tables dramatically, leaving Pakistan with a golden opportunity to start the series with a victory. The fourth and possibly fifth day promises high drama as Pakistan’s batsmen look to chase down 211 runs against a West Indies bowling attack that will be desperate to defend a modest total and keep the series alive.
