TAROUBA - Jayden Seales produced a devastating spell of fast bowling as the West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a commanding all-round display.

Set a challenging target of 211, Pakistan were bundled out for just 120 after resuming the final session at 114-9. Captain Babar Azam stood tall amid the ruins with an unbeaten 58, but received little support from the rest of the batting line-up as the tourists succumbed to a disappointing collapse. Pakistan briefly raised hopes of an unlikely escape through a determined last-wicket stand between Babar and Mohammad Abbas. The pair added 49 invaluable runs, frustrating the West Indies attack before Seales trapped Abbas lbw for 23 in the second over after tea to wrap up the match.

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Babar’s gritty knock, featuring disciplined stroke play and immense composure, was his lone battle against a relentless West Indies pace attack. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (11) was the only other Pakistani batter to reach double figures, underlining the visitors’ batting woes. Seales spearheaded the home side’s attack with magnificent figures of 5-20 in 14.2 overs, consistently troubling Pakistan’s batters with pace, movement and accuracy. Veteran Kemar Roach and Justin Greaves claimed two wickets each, while Shamar Joseph chipped in with one.

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Earlier, West Indies extended their overnight second-innings score of 126-7 to 181, thanks to valuable lower-order contributions. Alzarri Joseph struck a brisk 38, smashing four sixes and a boundary, while Roach added 18 and Jomel Warrican contributed 14 to push the lead beyond 200. Pakistan’s bowlers had done well to keep the target within reach, with M Abbas producing a brilliant spell to claim 5-22. M Ali and Khurram Shahzad picked up two wickets apiece, while Aamir Jamal claimed one. However, Pakistan’s batting once again let the team down. Apart from Babar’s coura-geous resistance, the visitors failed to cope with the disciplined West Indies pace attack, allowing the hosts to complete a thoroughly deserved victory.

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WEST INDIES 311 & 181 (Alzarri Joseph 38; M Abbas 5-22, M Ali 2-43, Khurram Shahzad 2-44) beat PAKISTAN 282 & 120 (Babar Azam 58*, M Abbas 23; Jayden Seales 5-20, Kemar Roach 2-22, Justin Greaves 2-31) by 90 runs.