West Indies vs Pakistan: Roston Chase Dedicates Historic 90-Run Test Win to Garry Sobers

West Indies captain, Roston Chase dedicated his team’s 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first test at Trinidad to the former legend from the Caribbean Garry Sobers who bid adieu to the world for a few days aged 89. It is quite extraordinary that the hosts won the game exactly on the same day as Sobers, considered to be one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, would have turned 90.

Speaking after the win, Chase said, “we wanted to make him proud and had a chat about it before the match began. I hope he is smiling down on us.” He further added, “I also want to thank the Trinidad crowd for coming out and supporting us. It was a big crow, but it gave us enough energy and support to go out there and perform.”

Chasing a target of 211 in the fourth innings at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium, Pakistan had to content with the day four pitch. But they were left undone by some brilliant bowling by the West Indies and they were bowled cheaply for a score of 120. Apart from the Pakistani skipper, Babar Azam, who led from the front and scored 58 not out, the visitors did not offer any resistance.

For West Indies, pacer Jayden Seales was the wrecker-in-chief, who produced a brilliant spell, took five wickets and gave away just 20 runs. Chase said his team had put in a lot of effort in the past few months, and the win is a reflection of their hard work. Earlier this month, they also beat Sri Lanka in the two-game test series at home.

“I think these two teams that we have played, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, are closer to us in the rankings. I don’t want to say they are teams we should beat, but I think it’s a more even contest between us. The guys are confident and over the last few months, we have been putting in some extra hard work.

We have had a camp as well before the Sri Lanka series, and I think that really helped us become closer as a unit and also work on our weaknesses and improve our strengths as well. So, I think this is the upliftment of that practice and camp.”

The pitch partially favoured the fast bowlers

One of the most interesting things to note about this game is that all the 40 wickets that fell in the game were taken by fast bowlers. “I think it just goes to show that it (the pitch) was more friendly towards the seamers.” Chase said. Ali Usman, the Pakistani spinner bowled quite a number of overs, but went wicketless.

For West Indies, Jomel Warrican also bowled a few overs, but he was quite ineffective in the conditions and did not get any wicket. The pacers, on the other hand, look quite threatening all through the test matches and they put the ball in the right areas as well.

The second and the last test match of the series will be played from at the Queen Park Oval in Port of Spain, starting from August 2.