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West Indies host Pakistan in the first Test of a two match series at the newly built Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, the ground’s first ever Test match. It is also the first Test of Babar Azam’s second stint as Pakistan captain, after he was reappointed to lead the side following Shan Masood’s departure from the role. In this preview you will find the match details, team news, pitch report and two WI vs PAK fantasy team options, one safe and one for grand leagues.
For Indian viewers, the match starts at 2.30 AM IST on July 26, a 5.00 PM start in Trinidad on July 25.
WI vs PAK 1st Test Match Details
Match: West Indies vs Pakistan, 1st Test
Dates: July 25 to 29, 2026
Time: 2.30 AM IST (July 26) | 5.00 PM local, Trinidad (July 25)
Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad
Streaming: FanCode
A Historic Venue, And A New Captain For Pakistan
This is the first men’s Test ever played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a new addition to the Caribbean’s Test match venues. It is also a fresh start for Pakistan’s Test side, with Babar Azam returning to the captaincy he first held from 2020 to 2023, replacing Shan Masood, who had led the side for 16 Tests. Pakistan go into the series on the back of a difficult run, having lost both Tests on their recent tour of Bangladesh, a result that puts context around the leadership change.
West Indies: A Settled Core After Beating Sri Lanka
West Indies retain almost the entire group that won their recent Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0, with Roston Chase continuing as captain and Jomel Warrican as vice-captain. Kirk McKenzie returns to the squad in place of John Campbell, who is out with a hamstring strain suffered during the ODI series against New Zealand. Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop earns a maiden Test call-up after a strong run in regional cricket, while Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for personal reasons.
WI vs PAK Head To Head
Pakistan lead the head to head 6 wins to 4 across the last ten Tests between the two sides, including a win in their most recent meeting on Pakistani soil in 2025.
WI vs PAK Squads
West Indies: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
Tarouba Weather Report For WI vs PAK
Cloudy conditions are expected, with humidity very high at around 90 percent and temperature close to 25.4°C. Rain chance is a significant 57 percent, which could affect play across the five days, especially given this is a new venue with no prior Test history to judge drainage and outfield conditions against.
WI vs PAK Probable Playing XIs
West Indies (probable): Brandon King, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach
Pakistan (probable): Imam ul Haq, Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali
Key Player Battles
Babar Azam vs West Indies’ pace attack: Azam’s first innings back as captain will be watched closely, and how he handles Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales with the new ball could set the tone for his second stint in charge.
Jomel Warrican vs Pakistan’s top order: Warrican was Player of the Series the last time these two sides met in a home Test series, and his control against Pakistan’s batters on a new, untested surface could be decisive.
Shan Masood vs Kemar Roach: Masood’s transition from captain to senior batter under new leadership is one of the storylines of this series, and his form against Roach’s experienced new-ball bowling will matter for Pakistan’s stability at the top.
WI vs PAK Fantasy Team (Small Leagues)
Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan
Batters: Babar Azam (C), Shai Hope (VC), Shan Masood
All Rounders: Roston Chase, Salman Ali Agha
Bowlers: Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Sajid Khan, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
Azam is captain in his first match back leading Pakistan, and Hope takes the vice-captaincy as West Indies’ most reliable senior batter. Chase and Ali Agha cover the all-round bases, and the bowling attack leans on the two most experienced pace options plus the specialist spinners from either side.
WI vs PAK Fantasy Team (Grand Leagues)
For grand leagues, this second WI vs PAK fantasy team brings in Kirk McKenzie and Joshua Bishop as lower-owned alternatives to the headline names.
Wicketkeeper: Joshua Da Silva — differential
Batters: Babar Azam (C), Kirk McKenzie (VC) — differential, Tagenarine Chanderpaul
All Rounders: Justin Greaves, Aamir Jamal
Bowlers: Jayden Seales, Joshua Bishop — differential, Sajid Khan, Khurram Shahzad — differential
McKenzie offers a point of difference on his Test recall, and Joshua Bishop is the wildcard pick on his maiden Test call-up, both likely to be lower owned than the more established names on either side.
Also Read- GG vs KR Fantasy Team, 11th Match: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report And Prediction
WI vs PAK Match Prediction
Both sides go into this Test carrying real question marks. West Indies have the more settled unit after their series win over Sri Lanka, and home conditions on a brand new pitch add an unknown factor that could favour the side more comfortable adapting quickly. Pakistan arrive under a new captain following back to back Test losses in Bangladesh, and Babar Azam will want a strong start to his second term in charge. Given West Indies’ recent form and the unfamiliar conditions, they get a narrow edge, though a new, untested pitch makes this a hard match to call with any confidence.
FAQs
Q. When is the WI vs PAK 1st Test?
A. July 25 to 29, 2026, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad. Play starts at 5.00 PM local time each day, which is 2.30 AM IST.
Q. Where can I watch WI vs PAK live?
A. The match will stream live on FanCode.
Q. Who is Pakistan’s Test captain?
A. Babar Azam, who has been reappointed to the role after previously captaining Pakistan in Tests from 2020 to 2023. He replaces Shan Masood.
Q. Who is West Indies’ captain?
A. Roston Chase, with Jomel Warrican as vice-captain.
Q. Has a Test been played at this venue before?
A. No. This is the first ever men’s Test match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.