Pakistan captain Babar Azam has opened up on how his side settled on its bowling combination for the second Test against West Indies, saying that the change was built around a fresh read of the Queen’s Park Oval pitch after a difficult start to the series.

Speaking at the post-match press conference following Pakistan’s eight-wicket win, which levelled the two-match series 1-1, Babar was asked how it felt to get back to winning ways.

“To be honest, whenever you win a match, it always gives you confidence. We have worked very hard over the last couple of months. We prepared for Test cricket because we had two matches here before going to England,” he said.

He explained that the opening Test had not gone to plan. “When we started the first Test, the pitch, conditions and even the opposition’s line-up were different from what we expected. We couldn’t cross the line because our batting was slightly behind. After losing that match, we sat together, discussed our mistakes and decided to assess the pitch more carefully before selecting our playing XI.”

That reassessment led directly to the change in bowling combination for the second Test. “This pitch was a little different, so we made a couple of changes. We included more spinners and went with only two specialist fast bowlers,” Babar said.

He admitted there was an early moment of doubt. “On the first day, the ball carried well, so I initially thought we might have made a mistake. But as the match progressed, the spinners came into the game and the pitch started turning. Overall, the way the team performed in the field, along with the efforts of our bowlers and batters, was very pleasing.”

Asked whether the conditions had ultimately suited Pakistan, Babar pushed back slightly. “Not really. We had prepared for different conditions, but as professionals you have to be ready for anything, different pitches, venues and conditions. After the first match, we had a few practice sessions and decided to focus more on playing spin rather than pace. We worked hard on that, and I think that preparation helped us adapt to these conditions.”

He also drew a distinction between the practice pitch used ahead of the series and the one used for the Test. “No, the conditions were completely different. The practice-match pitch was much slower and had more grass on it. The Test-match pitch had very little grass, so it played differently.”

On the decision to leave out fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, which drew some criticism, Babar said the call was about balance rather than form. “Look, whenever we make changes, we first assess the pitch and then decide on the best team combination. Mohammad Abbas is one of our best red-ball bowlers, but sometimes you have to take decisions based on the team’s balance and the conditions.”

He was also asked about Abbas’s recent switch from a T20 stint in Guyana back to red-ball cricket. “No, because he has been playing a lot of cricket back home. He played first-class cricket for about two months before coming here, and then he played T20s. I don’t think he was nervous. He was confident. After being away from the team for about a year, he worked hard to improve himself and came back stronger, and he showed that,” he said.

Asked about his own return as Test captain, Babar said he was settling back into the role. “I’m really enjoying it. Coming back as captain brings different challenges, but I always enjoy captaincy.”

On the field, Pakistan beat West Indies by eight wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, levelling the two-match series 1-1.

Chasing a target of 75 after bowling West Indies out for 117 in their second innings, Pakistan reached the total in 23.3 overs for the loss of two wickets. Abdullah Shafique finished unbeaten on 24, alongside Babar, who also stayed not out on 24.

West Indies had resumed their second innings on the fourth morning at 103 for six, holding a lead of just 60 runs. Pakistan needed only 5.2 overs to wrap up the remaining four wickets, bowling the hosts out for 117 in 46.1 overs. Ali Usman and Sajid Khan did most of the damage, sharing eight wickets between them. Ali finished with four for 39 from 19.1 overs, while Sajid took four for 32 from 12 overs. Mohammad Ali removed Justin Greaves for three, before Ali Usman wrapped up the innings by dismissing Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph. Brandon King could not bat because of injury.

In the chase, Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq for nine early on, caught off Jayden Seales. Azan Awais made 18 before Joseph bowled him, leaving the score at 42 for two. Shafique and Babar then put on an unbroken 35-run stand to see Pakistan home, with Babar striking two fours and two sixes in a 30-ball innings as the total moved to 77 for two.

Pakistan’s win was built on Shafique’s first-innings knock of an unbeaten 160 from 323 balls, which included 15 fours and three sixes. It earned him the player-of-the-match award and set up a series-levelling victory on the tour.