Port of Spain did not welcome this Test with sunshine. The rain arrived early. It came back again. And again. By the time stumps were called, West Indies were 173 for 5 and Pakistan had reasons to feel quietly encouraged. Two new names wore Pakistan whites for the first time. And Justin Greaves was still there at the end of it all. Let’s check out how Pakistan Fight Back on a Dramatic Day 1.
Rain Dominates the Morning at Queen’s Park Oval
West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first at Queen’s Park Oval. The decision seemed sound on paper. Port of Spain pitches traditionally reward patience from batters early on.
But the weather had different ideas. Rain interrupted play repeatedly throughout the morning session. Multiple covers-on and covers-off sequences frustrated both teams. A significant amount of play was lost in the first session. Only 9.5 overs were possible before lunch.
Two Pakistan Debutants Take the Field
The match marked Test debuts for two Pakistan players: Awais Zafar and Ubaid Shah. Both stepped in directly as replacements connected to Shan Masood’s absence through injury.
Awais Zafar batted at number three in Pakistan’s batting order. Ubaid Shah was selected to add pace variety to the bowling attack. Both were thrown straight into a must-win Test. Pakistan trailing 1-0 in the series gave their debuts an immediate sense of pressure.
Fall of Wickets: Pakistan Make Inroads
Despite the rain disruptions, Pakistan’s bowlers produced disciplined spells. The fall of wickets told a promising story for Pakistan. West Indies lost their first wicket at 49 for 1. The second fell at 65 for 2. The third came at 91 for 3. The fourth at 120 for 4. And the fifth at 173 for 5.
Those wickets were spread across the day rather than clustered in one burst. Each one cost West Indies a building partnership. Pakistan refused to let the home side settle despite the stop-start nature of play throughout the day.
Chanderpaul Falls Early, King Follows
Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell at 49 for 1 in the 9.5th over. He was Pakistan’s first victim of the day. His dismissal gave Pakistan the early breakthrough they desperately needed.
Brandon King followed shortly after. He went at 65 for 2 in the 16.4th over. King had scored 29 off 57 balls. He provided some resistance but was not able to convert into a significant innings. Pakistan’s bowling pressure was beginning to tell.
Kavem Hodge and Amir Jangoo Depart
Kavem Hodge, who had been so influential in the first Test at Tarouba with his century, fell cheaply in this match. He departed at 91 for 3 in the 25.4th over for just 16 off 30 balls. That was a significant wicket for Pakistan. Removing Hodge early prevented West Indies building on their platform.
Amir Jangoo then fell at 120 for 4 in the 35.1st over for 29 off 57 balls. His dismissal left West Indies requiring contributions from their experienced middle order. Shai Hope was next to go. He departed at 173 for 5 in the 50.4th over for 26 off 54 balls.
Greaves Unbeaten as Stumps Are Called
The biggest subplot of Day 1 heading into Day 2 is Justin Greaves. He walks off the field on 52 not out from 93 balls. That is exactly the kind of composed innings that made him such a danger in the first Test.
Roston Chase was unbeaten on 32 off 81 balls alongside Greaves at stumps. Their unbroken sixth-wicket partnership is what stands between Pakistan and a dominant position on Day 2. Both batters know the Queen’s Park Oval conditions intimately. Getting them out early on Day 2 is Pakistan’s most important objective tomorrow morning.
Ali Usman Picks Up a Wicket on Debut
Debutant Ali Usman contributed with the ball despite it being a difficult day for the attack overall. He took 1 for 48 across his overs. That maiden Test wicket will be a memory he carries for life regardless of how his career develops from here.
Pakistan’s attack will need more from every bowler on Day 2. The sixth wicket partnership between Greaves and Chase must be broken early. Babar Azam’s captaincy decisions in the first hour of Day 2 will define the entire match.
His ability to lead Pakistan through moments of pressure like this is something his record as captain demonstrates consistently, as explored in our piece on Babar Azam’s captaincy records and seven biggest achievements.
What Pakistan Need on Day 2
Pakistan need to bowl West Indies out for under 250. That is the realistic target heading into tomorrow. If Greaves and Chase bat until lunch, West Indies could push toward 280 or beyond. That would put Pakistan under serious pressure batting first in a must-win Test.
The pitch is expected to assist batting through Day 2 before deteriorating in the later stages of the match. West Indies know that. So does Babar Azam. Removing the overnight partnership inside the first ten overs of Day 2 is the most critical task Pakistan face right now.
West Indies’ tradition of producing batting performances from their lower middle order under pressure is exactly the kind of history explored in our piece on best cricket players in West Indies cricket history, and Greaves is already adding his own chapter to that story.
Conclusion
Day 1 at Queen’s Park Oval belonged to the rain as much as either team. West Indies showed enough patience to reach a competitive position. Pakistan showed enough discipline to stay in the match. The real contest begins on Day 2 morning. Greaves on 52 and Chase on 32 are the two problems Pakistan must solve before the scoreboard starts looking dangerous. Four days remain. This series decider is perfectly set up for a battle.
