ANTIGUA 2000, Dominica 2017 and now Jamaica 2021! West Indies and Pakistan added another chapter to the list of enthralling, nail-biting Tests between these two sides as the hosts eked out a stunning one-wicket win with No. 9, Kemar Roach, and 11, Jayden Seales, holding on in what turned out to be a tricky chase of 168.
Roach made 30* and Seales’ 2* was as good as gold.
The last stance added 17 valuable runs in a nerve-racking Sunday at Sabina Park, and according to captain Kraigg Brathwaite, even when they went to tea 54 away; Pakistan needed three wickets, with only one frontline batter at the crease.
“Remarkable; (we) never lost hope. The attitude we had at tea time, from Josh (Joshua DaSilva) coming in and making a lot of suggestions, I never lost hope, truly amazing”, Brathwaite stated at the post-match.

“To be honest, I thought Pakistan bowled really well, and I just think it is patience. It is a pitch that has something for bowlers throughout the day and I think who has more patience will come out on top.”
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled eight wicket-less overs for 32 runs, and the skipper was asked if he would continue with the spinner given the conditions which favoured the quicker men.
“Still have some time before the next Test and obviously it will be a different pitch but the bowlers did a fantastic job. Whenever I asked them to do a role, they did it, they were a little tired at times but the guys were always willing and that was amazing.”

The skipper also hailed the vital 55, made by vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, whose last score of 50 or more came 13 innings ago against Bangladesh in February.
“We have been working hard as a batting group and I know he was hungry for runs at his home ground, and we will continue working hard. We know Pakistan will come harder and I just think it is about patience, who has more patience will come out on top.”

Seales seals it
Meanwhile, 19-year-old pacer Jayden Seales, had a dream start to a Test career, with 13 wickets in five innings at an average of 21.38.
Seales took 5-55 in Pakistan’s second innings to end with man-of-the-match figures of 8-125 in 31.4 overs.
He became the youngest West Indian to take five wickets in a Test innings.
Jamaican left-arm spinner, Alfred Louis Valentine, previously held the record when he took 8-104 against England in 1950. He was 20 years and 41 days at the time of the feat

“Test cricket so far has been a dream come through; to get five (wickets) today and put out a winning performance for the team really goes to the bowling coach, Roddy Estwick. We spoke a lot before and during the Test match about the areas I should bowl and things I should do, and I will be successful.”
As regards his nerves of steel with the bat in hand, the Trinidadian said it was about maintaining a positive mindset.
“We talked about positivity, remaining patient, just waiting, and eventually we got there.”
He added, “For me, was just to stay with Roachie and get him on strike as much as possible, try and keep out the good balls and if a run-scoring opportunity presents itself, take it and try and bring it home for the team.”
The second and final Test starts on August 20 at Sabina Park.