Three long years. Eight consecutive away defeats. That is the heavy baggage Pakistan finally dumped into the Atlantic ocean at Queen's Park Oval.
When Babar Azam walked back onto the field as captain, skepticism was high. The team had just dropped the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, keeping a miserable foreign losing streak alive. Fans were tired. Pundits were ruthless. But cricket has a funny way of shifting momentum when nobody expects it.
Pakistan secured a resounding eight-wicket victory in Port of Spain to level the two-match series 1-1, ending a drought that stretched back to July 2023. Let us look at how they pulled it off.
The Foundation Built By Abdullah Shafique
You cannot win away Tests without someone standing tall when the pitch starts playing tricks. Abdullah Shafique did exactly that. His brilliant, unbeaten 160 in the first innings changed the texture of the entire match.
It wasn't just about runs. It was about application. Shafique became the first Pakistan batter since 1977 to cross 150 in a Test innings in the West Indies. He wore down the home attack, absorbed the pressure of a desperate bowling lineup, and handed Pakistan a crucial 43-run first-innings lead.
When openers struggle on foreign tours, the middle order gets exposed instantly. Shafique ensured that did not happen this time. He anchored the ship, allowing the rest of the batting lineup to breathe.
Spin Twins Turn the Screws
Port of Spain on days three and four is a spinner's paradise if you know how to pitch the ball. Sajid Khan and Ali Usman certainly knew.
The pair dismantled the West Indies second innings, bundling the hosts out for just 117 runs. Sajid snapped up 4 for 32, while left-armer Usman claimed 4 for 39. Together, they shared eight wickets and ripped through the lower order before anyone could blink.
West Indies began the fourth morning hoping to set a competitive target, but the spin combination gave them zero breathing room. Tailenders had no answers for the turn and bounce. Mohammad Ali chipped in effectively too, forcing Justin Greaves to play back onto his stumps.
Chasing a modest target of 75 should be easy, but Pakistan has a history of stuttering under minimal pressure. They lost early wickets when Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais fell cheaply. Panic could have set in. It didn't.
Babar Finishes It in Style
Babar Azam wasn't about to let this slip. Having returned to the captaincy after a turbulent period that saw Shan Masood lose the role following heavy defeats in Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh, Babar needed this win desperately.
Walking out alongside Shafique, he calmly navigated the small target. Then, with victory in sight, he did what he does best when feeling expressive. He launched left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican for back-to-back sixes, sealing the chase and stamping an exclamation mark on a tense fourth morning.
An eight-wicket win. A drawn series. A broken curse.
For a team that endured three years of away misery, this result offers a vital psychological reset. The World Test Championship table still presents a steep climb, with Pakistan sitting eighth, but the monkey is finally off their back. They proved they can win outside their home comfort zone. Now comes the hard part: doing it again.
