Emotional atmosphere prevails at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Taruba west indies achieved a memorable victory at Pakistan In the first Test of their multi-format series (July 25-28, 2026). Apart from the sheer grit displayed over four dramatic days, this contest will be remembered for a poetic, fate-bound alignment in cricket history: on the very same day the great all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers It would have been 90 years since the maroon-clad Caribbeans recorded a tense 90-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Roston Chase shares a touching message for the late Sir Garfield Sobers
In the post-match presentation, the West Indies captain Roston Chase The hard-fought victory was dedicated directly to Sobers’ memory. The legendary cricketer, who recently passed away in his native Barbados at the age of 89, left a phenomenal legacy with 8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Test matches.
Addressing fans and media via West Indies’ official social media channels, Chase highlighted how Sobers continues to serve as an enduring symbol of inspiration inside the dressing room. He reflected on the astonishing numerical coincidence between Sir Gary’s 90th birth anniversary and the 90-run margin of victory, calling it a moment of destiny.
“On behalf of the West Indies senior cricket men’s team, we would like to dedicate this win to the late, great Sir Garfield Sobers. He is a legend of the game, a hero to everyone in this dressing room… He would have been 90 today, and we won by 90 runs. So it was destiny for him. We talked about trying to make him feel special at his grave, and I hope he’s smiling at us right now. So Sir Garfield Sobers, I want to thank you for everything you have done for West Indies cricket and we have tried to make you proud.,’ Chase said.
Here is the video:
With love to legend 🖤
Sir Gary’s historic victory in the 90th minute. #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/2yLXAkXQ6a
– Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) 28 July 2026
West Indies registered a spectacular victory over Pakistan in the first test.
The match itself was a classic low-scoring Test battle where fortunes changed rapidly between the two sides.
Batting first, West Indies made a strong score of 311 runs in their first innings. Kvem Hodge This effort was taken forward by playing an innings of 84 runs on 183 balls, while the late batting provided fireworks. Shamar Joseph (23 out of 18) took the total score beyond 300. In reply, despite strong contributions from the top order, Pakistan were all out for 282 runs. Shan Masood (109) and imam ul haq (63). all-rounder Justin Greaves Performing exceptionally well with the ball, he destroyed Pakistan’s middle order and took 5 wickets for 27 runs in 11 overs.
With a modest lead of 29 runs, the West Indies team faltered at the crease for the second time and collapsed for 181 runs in front of disciplined bowling. Mohammad Abbas (5/22). However, a strong counter-attack from Joseph (38 runs from 27 balls) reduced the target to a difficult 211 runs.
Pakistan’s chase of 211 runs completely failed in the face of a lethal opening spell jaden seals And Kemar Roach. Seales produced a mesmerizing effort, taking 5 for 20 in 14.2 overs, while Greaves and Roach continued to apply pressure. Despite Pakistan captain’s strong unbeaten 58 runs Babar Azam, On the fourth day, the visiting team was reduced to just 120 runs in 40.2 overs.
Player of the match was awarded to Greaves for his important multidimensional contribution (5/27, 20 runs and 2/12), giving West Indies a 1–0 lead in the second Test.
