WI vs PAK: West Indies defeated Pakistan by 90 runs in the first Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Jayden Seales claimed five wickets as the hosts bowled Pakistan out for 120 while defending a target of 211. Pakistan suffered their eighth consecutive Test defeat on foreign soil, while the West Indies secured an unassailable lead in the series.
Babar Azam scored a half-century but found no support, while an injured Shan Masood battled on despite a fractured finger. This victory was dedicated to West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers, marking what would have been his 90th birthday.
West Indies Test captain Roston Chase dedicated his team’s 90-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test to the legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers. He highlighted the coincidence between Sobers’ age and the margin of victory. Sobers, who turned 90 on July 17, played 93 Test matches for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974. He scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78—including 26 centuries—and also took 235 wickets.
Roston Chase dedicated his team’s victory to Sobers
In a video shared by Cricket West Indies, Chase stated that the cricketing icon has been an inspiration to everyone in the West Indies dressing room and expressed hope that the legend would be proud of the team’s performance. Chase said, “On behalf of the West Indies senior men’s cricket team, we want to dedicate this victory to the great Sir Garfield Sobers. He is a legend of the game and a hero to everyone in this dressing room. He achieved everything on the cricket field and is such a massive icon; the fact that he turned 90 today and we won by 90 runs—it felt like it was meant for him.”
The West Indies captain mentioned that the team had discussed making the win special for Sobers and hoped the legend was “smiling down” on them. Chase added, “We spoke about making him feel special, and I hope he is smiling down on us right now. So, Sir Garfield Sobers, I want to thank you for everything you have done for West Indies cricket. We have tried to make you proud. We hope you are happy and that your soul rests in peace.”
West Indies legend Brain Lara also paid homage to the legend. He said, “I was so excited to meet the great Sir Gary Sobers that it never dawned on me how someone so great could also be so humble. As the years passed and I was fortunate enough to spend more time with Sir Gary, I realized he wasn’t trying to be humble, he was simply being himself. He carried himself in a way that earned the admiration of kings and queens, yet he gave the same respect to the everyday person. That, to me, was one of his greatest qualities. A true legend. A remarkable man. I will forever be grateful for the time I shared with him.”
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