Pakistan wrapped up the West Indies first innings for 344 in an extended morning session on Day 2, with off-spinner Sajid Khan leading the bowling attack by claiming 4 for 85. Three other Pakistani bowlers chipped in with two wickets each, but not before the West Indies lower order added valuable runs to post their highest total of the series. Resuming their innings overnight, the hosts added 105 runs to their total, thanks to fighting half-centuries from Justin Greaves (73) and Roston Chase (70). Their contributions frustrated Pakistan as the lower-middle order continued to build useful partnerships. West Indies began the day positively, with Roston Chase taking advantage of some wayward bowling from Mohammad Ali, striking two early boundaries. However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam introduced left-arm spinner Ali Usman with the new ball, and the move paid immediate dividends. Usman's very first delivery induced a leading edge from Greaves, who was caught at short third by Awais Zafar. Pakistan continued to chip away at the batting order as Ubaid Shah, introduced later with the new ball, struck with his first delivery of the day. His cross-seam delivery clipped the top of Chase's middle stump after brushing the pad, ending the all-rounder's resilient knock. Sajid Khan then removed the dangerous Shamar Joseph, whose aggressive approach failed to produce another counterattack. Despite the wickets, the West Indies tail continued to resist, with Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales adding another useful 18 runs as lunch approached. Pakistan also suffered a minor injury scare when Azan Awais was struck hard on the shoulder while fielding at short leg and was forced to leave the field. Sajid eventually wrapped up the innings by dismissing Seales with a delivery that extracted extra bounce, completing his four-wicket haul and ending the West Indies innings at 344. With the hosts posting their best total of the series, Pakistan's batters now face the challenge of responding strongly over the remaining two sessions of play.

West Indies batter Amir Jangoo believes his side is well positioned to take control of the second Test against Pakistan despite a series of missed opportunities on the opening day at Queen's Park Oval. At stumps on a rain-interrupted first day, West Indies had reached 239 for 5, with Justin Greaves unbeaten on 64 and captain Roston Chase on 36, keeping the hosts on course for a competitive first-innings total. Jangoo acknowledged that several wickets fell at unfortunate moments, preventing West Indies from ending the day in an even stronger position. "We got a good start with Brandon King at the top of the order, but unfortunately we couldn't build on it. There were a few unfortunate dismissals, so now it's about taking the game deep," Jangoo said after play. Opening batter Brandon King provided early momentum with an aggressive 46 off 50 deliveries, while Jangoo contributed 26. Every West Indies batter who batted on the opening day reached double figures, although only Greaves converted his start into a substantial innings. The Trinidad-born batter described the surface as slow and demanding, praising Pakistan's disciplined bowling attack, particularly the spinners. "There were difficult periods while batting. The surface is very slow and doesn't allow you to score quickly. Pakistan's spinners bowled with great discipline, but I think our batters handled the conditions well," he said. Jangoo believes West Indies should target a first-innings score of at least 350, predicting that the pitch will become increasingly difficult for batting as the match progresses. "We don't have a fixed target, but we definitely need to get beyond 350 batting first on this wicket. I think we're right on our way there. Day two should still be a good time to bat, so we need to make the most of it," he added. Reflecting on the conditions, Jangoo noted that the pitch offered significant assistance to spin with the new ball before becoming less responsive as it aged. "It spun a lot today, especially with the new ball. Later in the day, it spun less, but by the end of day three the wicket should begin to break up. That's why it's important to make this first innings count," he explained. Pakistan's decision to strengthen their spin attack appeared to pay early dividends. The visitors replaced medium pacers Mohammad Abbas and Aamer Jamal with off-spinner Sajid Khan, while Abdullah Shafique and debutant Awais Zafar came into the batting lineup following Shan Masood's injury. Sajid Khan dismissed Kavem Hodge, while Ali Usman removed Brandon King as the two spinners maintained pressure through disciplined bowling. Usman said the bowlers focused on accuracy rather than relying on extravagant turn. "The pitch isn't turning every ball. When it does turn, it's slow, giving the batters time to adjust. Our plan was to attack the stumps, bowl maiden overs and avoid giving away easy runs," Usman said. The left-arm spinner admitted he was unfortunate not to claim more wickets after repeatedly beating the bat and expressed confidence of making further breakthroughs on the second morning. Looking ahead, Usman expects the surface to become even slower as the Test progresses, recalling similar conditions during Pakistan's warm-up fixture at the same venue. "It became very slow by the fourth day during our warm-up match, making scoring difficult. We need to bat well and secure a healthy lead," he said. While spin is expected to play an increasingly important role later in the match, Jangoo believes the fast bowlers can still have a major impact with the new ball when Pakistan begin their first innings on day two.

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has expressed confidence in his team's recent progress and believes they are on the right path as they prepare for the second and final Test against Pakistan at Queen's Park Oval, beginning on Sunday. Following an impressive run of form at home, Chase said the team is determined to establish the Caribbean as a fortress where visiting sides struggle to secure victories. "We're very confident and exactly where we want to be," Chase told reporters ahead of the match. "After the year we had last year, we sat down with a plan, and we're now seeing the results. We want to continue improving and take another step forward with a second victory." West Indies have enjoyed a successful home season, crushing Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs in the opening Test before drawing the second. They followed that up with a commanding 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test. Although the Caribbean side is no longer in contention for the ICC World Test Championship final, another win would lift them above England into seventh place in the standings. Chase emphasized the importance of making home conditions count. "We want to make home our fortress, where we make it very difficult for teams to come to the Caribbean and beat us. These are our conditions, and we understand them better than the opposition. We've been using that advantage well, and we want to continue doing so," he said. West Indies will also draw confidence from Pakistan's poor away record. The visitors have now suffered eight consecutive Test defeats away from home, with losses coming in Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Caribbean. However, conditions at Queen's Park Oval could present a different challenge. Unlike the pace-friendly surface in Tarouba, the Port of Spain pitch is expected to offer greater assistance to spin bowlers. That could place added responsibility on West Indies' spin department, led by Jomel Warrican, with Chase serving as the secondary spin option. The captain, however, is recovering from a finger injury that prevented him from bowling during the first Test. "It's getting better," Chase said of his injured right index finger. "I bowled two overs in the nets today. There's still a bit of pain, but I think by Sunday I'll be able to bowl four or five overs consistently." If spin becomes a decisive factor, Pakistan may look to strengthen their attack. After fielding Ali Usman as the lone specialist spinner in the first Test, they also have experienced off-spinner Sajid Khan and all-rounder Salman Agha available. West Indies, meanwhile, could consider handing an international debut to uncapped left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop if conditions warrant an additional spin option. With momentum on their side and home advantage firmly in their favor, West Indies will be aiming to complete a memorable series victory and further reinforce their growing reputation as a formidable force in Caribbean conditions.

Pakistan have suffered a major setback ahead of the second Test against the West Indies, with senior batter Shan Masood ruled out after sustaining a fracture to his left index finger during the opening Test in Tarouba. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed Masood's unavailability on Thursday following a scan and clinical assessment conducted by the team's medical panel. The left-handed batter picked up the injury while facing West Indies pacer Jayden Seales in Pakistan's first innings. Despite the setback, Masood displayed remarkable determination by continuing his innings and registering his seventh Test century, although Pakistan eventually lost the match by 90 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Masood's injury also affected his involvement later in the match. He did not take the field on the fourth morning and returned to bat at No. 8 during Pakistan's chase of 211. Battling discomfort and limited use of his left hand, he managed only three runs before being caught at point while attempting a drive. The PCB has not provided a definite timeline for Masood's return, raising concerns over his availability for Pakistan's upcoming Test series in England. According to the board, his participation in the first Test at Leeds, beginning on August 19, will depend on his recovery and clinical progress. Despite being ruled out of the second Test in the Caribbean, Masood will remain with the squad and travel with the team to England. Pakistan have several options to replace Masood in the playing XI for the second Test. Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel were added to the squad after Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of the series with a lower-back injury ahead of the first Test. The squad also includes uncapped middle-order batter Awais Zafar, giving the team multiple choices as they look to level the series against the West Indies.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has responded to head coach Daren Sammy's comments regarding his absence from the ongoing two-Test home series against Pakistan, saying the remarks were "controversial" because they lacked important context about his fitness. Joseph, who was initially reported by Cricket West Indies (CWI) as being unavailable for "personal reasons," said he was disappointed after Sammy publicly stated that the pacer had "declined selection" for the series. Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show on Antigua Observer, Joseph revealed that he had discussed his situation with both Sammy and Cricket West Indies before the squad announcement. "We had a chat, myself and the head coach. I've also had a chat with CWI, and if you realise the statement CWI released said personal reasons. Mr. Sammy, being around for a long time, knows exactly what that statement would have done and the narrative it would have pushed in the public," Joseph said. The controversy began after Cricket West Indies announced on July 23 that Joseph would miss the Pakistan series due to personal reasons. A day later, Sammy clarified during a press conference that the fast bowler had "declined selection" despite being picked for the squad. Joseph explained that his decision was based entirely on workload management following his recovery from a recurring back injury. The 28-year-old recently returned to international cricket after nearly a year on the sidelines due to a second stress fracture in his lower back. "Obviously, I've been out for an entire year. I haven't played at international intensity for so long after having a second stress fracture," Joseph said. He added that after playing two Test matches against Sri Lanka and five consecutive One-Day Internationals against New Zealand, he felt his body was not prepared for another demanding Test series. "We spoke about me playing the two Test matches here, playing five back-to-back ODIs and how my body was feeling. I knew to myself my body was not ready to go into another Test series. So, the statement in itself is controversial, without context," he said. Despite the public disagreement, Joseph insisted that the incident would not affect his professional relationship with Sammy. "I'm a professional, so I'm going to go to work. I am representing the West Indies. I'm not representing Daren Sammy, so for me, I'm neither here nor there in terms of a relationship. I don't go there to make friends. I go there to work, do a job and represent the people of the West Indies," Joseph stated. Meanwhile, West Indies lead the two-match Test series against Pakistan 1-0, with the second and final Test set to begin on Sunday. The Caribbean side will next travel to India for a limited-overs series scheduled for September and October.

Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad have each been handed one demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba. The ICC found both players guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal." In addition to receiving a demerit point, Shahzad was fined 15 percent of his match fee, while Abbas received an official reprimand for his conduct during the match. The sanctions were imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe after both players admitted the offences and accepted the proposed penalties, eliminating the need for formal disciplinary hearings. The incidents mark the first Code of Conduct offences for both Abbas and Shahzad within the past 24 months. Under ICC regulations, a player who accumulates four or more demerit points over a two-year period will have those points converted into suspension points, which can result in a ban from international cricket. The disciplinary action came after Pakistan suffered a 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test, with the hosts securing victory inside four days at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. The two teams will now turn their attention to the second and final Test of the series, which is scheduled to be played in Port of Spain from August 2 to August 6.

Pakistan's hopes of chasing down 211 in the opening Test against the West Indies have been dealt a major blow, with former captain Shan Masood emerging as a significant doubt to bat in the fourth innings due to a finger injury. Masood sustained the injury while fielding on the third day of the first Test in Tarouba after scoring a century in Pakistan's first innings. The left-handed batter did not take the field during the opening hour of the fourth morning as the West Indies continued their innings and was notably absent from his customary No. 3 position during Pakistan's run chase. Although Masood was initially expected to be available to bat if required, ESPNcricinfo understands that the severity of the finger injury has cast serious doubt over his participation in the chase. Pakistan's pursuit of 211 got off to a disastrous start, with the visitors slumping to 28 for 3 by lunch. Playing with one specialist batter fewer in the XI, Pakistan could be forced to send bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal to the crease at No. 6 if Masood remains unavailable. Masood is expected to bat only if absolutely necessary, with Pakistan likely to attempt to complete the chase without relying on the experienced batter unless the situation becomes critical. The extent of the injury and its impact on the remainder of the two-match Test series remains uncertain. Pakistan are scheduled to play the second Test beginning on Sunday before embarking on a challenging three-Test tour of England next month. Pakistan's injury concerns have already mounted after opener Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of both the ongoing West Indies tour and the upcoming England series with a back injury. In response, the selectors recently called up batters Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel as cover, with Shakeel joining the squad earlier than originally planned. Masood's fitness will now be closely monitored as Pakistan look to complete the chase while also managing the availability of one of their most experienced batters ahead of a demanding international schedule.

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase believes strong individual performances from a captain inspire greater confidence within the team as he prepares to lead the Caribbean side in the two-match Test series against Pakistan, beginning on Saturday. Fresh from a career-reviving innings of 194 against Sri Lanka, Chase admitted the knock brought him immense relief after enduring a prolonged lean spell with the bat. "It's a good feeling to find some form after struggling for the past year in the batting department," Chase said. "That knock gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of relief, knowing that I can still perform for the team." The 33-year-old emphasized that a captain's performances can have a significant impact on the dressing room. "When you're a leader that goes out there and leads by example, everyone has a different level of respect for you. They believe in you even more and they want to play for you even more," he said. Chase's 194, his sixth Test century and first since February 2019, ended a drought spanning 28 Test matches. The innings played a pivotal role in West Indies' innings victory over Sri Lanka, securing the series and giving the team its first win in the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle after seven defeats and two draws. Despite returning to form, Chase remains uncertain about his bowling fitness after suffering an injury to his right index finger that ruled him out of the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this month. "I'm not 100 percent yet," Chase said. "I bowled a few balls yesterday and there's still a bit of pain. But there's still some time before the first ball is bowled, so hopefully it improves." West Indies currently sit eighth in the World Test Championship standings, one place above Pakistan. Chase revealed that the team's target for the cycle is to finish between fifth and sixth, making the upcoming series crucial. "We wanted to set a realistic goal, and that was to finish around fifth or sixth," he said. "It's very important for us to win this series against Pakistan. If we do that, we'll move closer to those positions in both the World Test Championship table and the Test rankings." The captain added that restoring West Indies to a competitive position in world cricket remains a major objective. "It's been a while since West Indies cricket have been around fifth or sixth in the rankings. We really want to get back up there and make the nation proud," he said. The West Indies squad has undergone a few changes ahead of the Pakistan series. Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph opted out of selection, while opener John Campbell is sidelined through injury and Anderson Phillip has been left out. In their place, selectors have recalled top-order batter Kirk McKenzie, who featured in six Tests between 2023 and 2024, and handed a maiden call-up to left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop. McKenzie impressed during the recent West Indies Championship with 323 runs, including two centuries, while Bishop claimed 16 wickets for Barbados. Chase backed both players to make a smooth transition to international cricket. "McKenzie has had a taste of international cricket before, while this is Bishop's first opportunity," he said. "We just want to give them confidence and rally around them because coming into a new environment can be nerve-wracking." He encouraged the newcomers to trust the approach that earned them selection. "They had an outstanding West Indies Championship. I just want them to bring that same mentality into Test cricket. Be yourselves, play naturally and don't put too much pressure on yourselves. If they do that, I think they'll go well." West Indies will open the two-match Test series against Pakistan on Saturday, aiming to build on their recent success against Sri Lanka and improve their standing in the World Test Championship.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has confirmed that fast bowler Alzarri Joseph declined selection for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, describing the absence of one of the team's premier pacers as a significant setback. While announcing the 15-member squad, Cricket West Indies had stated that Joseph was unavailable for selection due to personal reasons. However, Sammy clarified that the 28-year-old had been selected before choosing not to join the squad. "Alzarri Joseph has declined selection. That's the reality of the situation," Sammy said ahead of the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. "He was selected and is coming back from injury, but for reasons known to him, he declined the selection." Joseph recently returned from injury and featured in both Test matches against Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets across the series. He also played all five ODIs against New Zealand, producing a match-winning spell of 4 for 41 in the opening game to underline his importance to the West Indies pace attack. Sammy said the decision was beyond his authority, leaving the matter to Cricket West Indies administrators. "That is a decision that is way over my head. I leave that with the directors to determine whatever solutions are appropriate when contracted players decline selection," he said. Despite Joseph's absence, Sammy expressed confidence in the bowling unit available for the Pakistan series, which includes Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, all-rounders Justin Greaves and Keemo Paul, along with spin options Jomel Warrican, debutant Joshua Bishop and captain Roston Chase. The head coach believes the current attack has the ability to dismiss opponents twice and compete with any side in Test cricket. "We have a bowling line-up that we've seen can take 20 wickets, and that's the first requirement for winning Test matches," Sammy said. "We proved our quality with the ball against Australia and New Zealand, and we've also seen encouraging improvement from our batters during the Test series against Sri Lanka." Sammy added that combining consistent batting performances with an effective bowling attack would be crucial as West Indies aim to improve their standing in the World Test Championship. The first Test between West Indies and Pakistan begins on Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, with the second Test scheduled to start on August 2 in Port of Spain.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy believes his Test side is beginning to make steady progress despite a difficult World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, expressing confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against Pakistan that begins on Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Currently placed eighth in the nine-team WTC standings with just one win from 10 matches, West Indies are only a few points away from breaking into the top six. Sammy said the team has started to show encouraging signs after securing a 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month. Reflecting on the team's journey since taking over as head coach, Sammy pointed to the challenging schedule his side faced against Australia, India, and New Zealand before finally gaining momentum. "Everything is a process," Sammy said. "We had three very difficult Test series to begin with, but now we are seeing some light coming through, especially after the Sri Lanka series. The players understand our goals and the roles they have to play in achieving them." Sammy reiterated that his long-term vision remains building a competitive team capable of challenging for the 2027–29 World Test Championship title. He emphasized that the current focus is on developing a consistent squad rather than reacting to outside criticism. The West Indies camp, however, faces an injury concern ahead of the Pakistan series, with wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo nursing a shoulder injury sustained during the ODI series against New Zealand. Although Jangoo has resumed batting in the nets and remains available for selection, his fitness will be monitored closely. Should Jangoo be unavailable, experienced batter Shai Hope could once again be asked to keep wicket, a role he performed during the second Test against Sri Lanka. Joshua Da Silva is also part of the squad, giving the selectors multiple options behind the stumps. "We're discussing the best way forward," Sammy said. "Shai has been willing to help the team, but we also have to manage his workload across all three formats." West Indies have also strengthened their squad with the inclusion of left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop, who has earned his maiden Test call-up after consistent domestic performances. Top-order batter Kirk McKenzie has returned to the squad following an impressive comeback in domestic cricket after losing form last year. Sammy said the spin-friendly conditions expected in Trinidad could allow the hosts to field two specialist spinners alongside captain Roston Chase. He also highlighted the importance of building a larger pool of players capable of stepping into the side without disrupting the team's balance. Looking ahead, Sammy stressed that the objective is to create depth in the squad so that injuries or absences do not significantly impact team performance. The upcoming series against Pakistan will also carry emotional significance for the Caribbean side following the recent passing of West Indies legend Sir Garry Sobers. Sammy said the team would dedicate its performances to honouring one of the greatest cricketers in history. "We've lost a great of the game," Sammy said. "Sir Garry contributed so much to cricket and inspired generations of players and fans. Throughout this series, we'll be playing to honour his legacy with performances that would make him proud."