Pakistan leveled the two-match Test series 1-1 against the West Indies after securing an eight-wicket victory in the second Test at Port of Spain. The win brought an end to an eight-match losing streak for Pakistan in the longest format of the game. Opening batsman Abdullah Shafique and skipper Babar Azam played pivotal roles in anchoring the team to victory.
Ending a 49-Year Drought in Trinidad
The historic victory at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain materialized shortly after lunch on the fourth day of the match. The West Indies set a modest target of just 75 runs in their final innings, which Pakistan successfully chased down for the loss of two wickets. This marks Pakistan's first Test match victory at the venue since 1977, effectively snapping a 49-year winless spell on Trinidadian soil.
Shafique's Unbeaten Ton and Babar's Consistent Form
The foundation for Pakistan's triumph was established during their first innings. Abdullah Shafique displayed remarkable endurance with an unbeaten 160, while captain Babar Azam contributed a vital 88 runs. Babar had also registered a half-century in the second innings of the opening Test. Emerging as the leading run-scorer of the series, Babar accumulated 193 runs across four innings at an impressive average of 96.50. His consistent performance earned him the Player of the Series award, which he shared with West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves.
Equaling Legendary Figures Imran Khan and Wasim Akram
By receiving the award, Babar Azam reached a major milestone in international cricket. It marked his 10th Player of the Series award across all international formats, drawing him level with iconic former Pakistan captains Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. Babar now shares the top spot for the most series awards won by a Pakistani cricketer in international cricket.
Pakistani Cricketers with Most Player of the Series Awards
The tally for the highest number of Player of the Series awards won by Pakistani players in international cricket stands as follows
- Babar Azam: 10 awards
- Imran Khan: 10 awards
- Wasim Akram: 10 awards
- Waqar Younis: 9 awards
This accolade represents Babar's first Player of the Series award in Test cricket. Previously, he had earned five such awards in T20 Internationals and four in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Adding one more Player of the Series award to his tally will see Babar surpass Imran Khan and Wasim Akram to stand alone at the top of the national record list.
