We never lost hope – Brathwaite

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite says his side never doubted that they would get the 168 runs needed to win the first Test against Pakistan at Sabina Park yesterday.

The West Indies pulled off the nail-biting feat for the loss of nine wickets on the fourth day, this after the regional side had bowled out Pakistan for 203 in their second innings.

Nineteen-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales put in a Man-of-the-Match performance by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul, becoming the youngest West Indian to do so in Tests following his five for 55.

Kemar Roach, who would later star with the bat, also put in a workmanlike performance, by bagging three wickets for 30, despite a fighting 55 from captain Babar Azam.

Chasing the target of 168, the West Indies made things difficult by losing wickets at regular intervals. However, a defiant 55 from Jermaine Blackwood and 30 not out from Roach, saw the regional side over the line. They have a one-nil lead in the series with one match to come at the same venue.

Praised the efforts of his troops

Brathwaite, who watched in keen anticipation from the players' pavilion, praised the efforts of his troops who dug deep and found the resolve to pull off the remarkable run chase on a tricky Sabina Park surface.

"A remarkable Test. We never lost hope. Pakistan bowled very well, and this pitch requires patience from the batsmen. We have been working hard as a batting group and Blackwood was hungry for runs at his home ground, so good on him. Pakistan will come back hard, but whoever is more patient will come out on top, said Brathwaite.

Man-of-the-Match Seales was elated that he could have eclipsed Alfred Valentine's 71-year record of becoming the youngest West Indian to claim five wickets in a Test.

"Words can't describe how I feel after the five-wicket haul, I'm just thankful for the Almighty. Test cricket has been a dream and getting five today, really goes to the bowling coach who backed me to be successful at this level. All the bowlers keep telling me to keep going hard at the batsmen, hitting the lengths, and wickets will come," said Seales.