Babar Azam Century Leads Pakistan’s Dominant Display Ahead of West Indies Tests

Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming Test series received a major boost as Babar Azam scored a brilliant century while Azan Awais also hit a hundred in Pakistan’s four-day warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI. Fast bowler Mohammad Ali claimed a five-wicket haul, helping Pakistan secure a commanding first-innings lead before the tour match ended in a draw.

Port of Spain hosted the Pakistan vs West Indies tour match before the first Test, which will kick off on July 25 at Tarouba. The team showed confidence in both their bat and ball before the two-match Test series, as Pakistan had dominated.

After a moment of silence, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first following the legend of Sir Garfield Sobers. Azan Awais and Shan Masood, both of whom dismissed at the start of the third over, stitched a 108-run stand to keep opener Imam-ul-Haq afloat. Masood had scored 70 runs and then left.

Babar Azam then consolidated the Pakistani innings with an unflappable century as the team’s new captain. Another player, Azan Awais, also achieved his hundred before retiring while Abdullah Fazal added a useful fifty years. Pakistan scored 455/4, with multiple players clearing personal records.

The West Indies Select XI responded by being resolute with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge scoring 148 for the second wicket. Mohammad Ali, however, got the breakthrough he sought with his brilliant spell, picking up 5 wickets as the hosts bowled out for 279. Aamer Jamal also contributed with the ball.

On the final day, Pakistan provided useful match practice to more players. Mohammad Rizwan promoted to bat first while Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar and Abdullah Fazal shared the time at the crease before retiring. In the end, Pakistan bowled out the opposition for 219/4 and overall, they took a lead of 395 runs.

This warm up game was the sole test fixture for Pakistan prior to the test series. The first Pakistan vs West Indies Test scheduled to take place in Tarouba from July 25 and the second Test is to played in Port of Spain from August 2.