West Indies and Pakistan begin their two-match Test series at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Thursday, with both teams looking to revive their fortunes in the longest format. The hosts enter the contest after a rare series victory over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan aim to recover from a disappointing whitewash against Bangladesh.
Match details
Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
Date: July 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST, 7:00 PM PST, 2:00 PM GMT
Team overviews
West Indies enter the opening Test with renewed confidence after securing a 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, their first Test series win since the 2022-23 season. Captain Roston Chase will expect his side to build on that momentum, particularly in home conditions where the bowling attack has traditionally performed well. Despite their recent success, consistency remains a concern, and the hosts will need contributions from both their experienced batters and fast bowlers.
Pakistan arrive in the Caribbean determined to erase memories of their disappointing 0-2 Test series defeat against Bangladesh. Shan Masood’s side has struggled away from home, losing their last seven overseas Tests, and will be under pressure to produce a stronger performance. The visitors possess an experienced batting lineup led by Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan, while Mohammad Abbas returns as the leader of the pace attack after an impressive run of form.
Key players
West Indies will rely heavily on Shai Hope, who has enjoyed an excellent run over the past 12 months with 533 runs at an average of 48.45. Openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Brandon King will be expected to negotiate the new ball, while Justin Greaves and Roston Chase provide stability in the middle order. Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales form a formidable pace attack capable of exploiting seam-friendly conditions.
Pakistan’s batting revolves around Babar Azam, whose average of 41.00 over the past two years underlines his importance to the lineup. Captain Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel will support him in the middle order, while Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha strengthen the lower middle order. Mohammad Abbas has taken 10 wickets in his last two matches and will spearhead the bowling attack alongside Khurram Shahzad.
Head-to-head record
The recent rivalry between West Indies and Pakistan has been closely contested.
- Last 10 matches:
- Pakistan wins: 6
- West Indies wins: 4
The last completed meeting between the teams came in January 2025, when West Indies registered a comprehensive victory.
Pitch report
Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba is expected to provide assistance for bowlers throughout the match. Fast bowlers should benefit from movement with the new ball, particularly under overcast conditions, while the surface is also known to slow down as the game progresses, bringing spinners into play.
Although the boundaries are relatively short, batting is unlikely to be straightforward because of the expected seam movement and variable pace. Teams that bat patiently during the opening sessions should have the best opportunity to post competitive totals.
Weather report
The forecast suggests challenging conditions throughout the Test. Overcast skies are expected on all five days, with rain possible during the opening three days. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 33°C, while humidity could remain close to 80 percent, creating favorable conditions for swing and seam bowling.
Probable playing XIs
West Indies (Captain: Roston Chase)
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Brandon King
- Kavem Hodge
- Shai Hope (Wicketkeeper)
- Amir Jangoo
- Justin Greaves
- Roston Chase (Captain)
- Keemo Paul
- Kemar Roach
- Shamar Joseph
- Jayden Seales
12th man/Reserve: Anderson Phillip
Pakistan (Captain: Shan Masood)
- Shan Masood (Captain)
- Azan Awais
- Abdullah Fazal
- Babar Azam
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
- Salman Agha
- Khurram Shahzad
- Sajid Khan
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Ali
Players to watch
Probable best batter: Babar Azam
Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s most dependable batter in Test cricket. His ability to build long innings and handle challenging conditions will be crucial if Pakistan hope to overcome their recent struggles away from home.
Probable best bowler: Mohammad Abbas
Mohammad Abbas has rediscovered excellent rhythm, claiming 10 wickets across his last two matches. His accuracy and ability to exploit seam movement make him Pakistan’s biggest bowling threat on a surface expected to assist fast bowlers.
Probable match scenarios
Scenario 1: West Indies win the toss and bat first, aiming to post 320 to 360 in the first innings before allowing their pace attack to exploit deteriorating conditions.
Scenario 2: Pakistan bat first and target 300 to 340 in the opening innings, relying on Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad to utilize favorable bowling conditions later in the match.
The available pre-match outlook suggests batting first could provide a significant advantage as the pitch is expected to become slower over the course of the Test.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: FanCode app and website for live streaming.
Pakistan: No official television broadcaster has been confirmed. Coverage depends on regional media rights.
United Kingdom: Coverage depends on the official regional broadcaster.
Australia: Coverage depends on the official regional broadcaster.
Global viewers: Live coverage will be available through official broadcasters and licensed streaming platforms according to regional broadcast rights.
Match prediction
Both teams enter the series seeking consistency after difficult periods in Test cricket. West Indies have the advantage of home conditions and arrive with confidence following their series win over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan possess a stronger and more experienced batting lineup capable of succeeding in challenging conditions. The weather forecast and pitch characteristics indicate that bowlers will play a decisive role throughout the match. If West Indies capitalize on home conditions and their pace attack performs as expected, they hold a slight advantage, although Pakistan have the experience to produce a competitive response.
