West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has expressed measured optimism ahead of the two-match home Test series against Pakistan, saying he can see 'the light coming through' for a Caribbean side building momentum after a hard-fought series win over Sri Lanka. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 25 July at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

Where West Indies Stand in the WTC Race

West Indies currently sit eighth in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, just three points adrift of sixth place. A series win over ninth-placed Pakistan could meaningfully shift their standing as the WTC cycle progresses. The 1-0 series win against Sri Lanka has given the squad a tangible reference point — their first series victory in recent memory that Sammy believes signals a genuine upward curve.

'We could see some light coming through, especially with the Sri Lanka series. Now we have Pakistan. Looking at the world rankings, we're probably four or five points behind getting into the top six of the table. The team knows what we're looking to achieve. And each player understands the role that they're playing in us achieving that,' Sammy said ahead of the series opener.

Sammy on His Coaching Philosophy

The former West Indies captain was characteristically composed when asked about external pressure, attributing his calm demeanour to clarity of purpose within the squad. 'So if you see me looking calm all the time, it's because I understand what we as a group are trying to do and not the noise from the outside,' he said. Sammy added that his process centres on alignment between the director, the captain, and the players — keeping the collective direction clear and uncluttered by outside commentary.

Jangoo Out, Shai Hope to Keep Wickets Again

A notable selection concern heading into the series is the fitness of wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo, who has yet to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during the New Zealand series. As a result, Shai Hope is set to take the gloves once again — a role that adds to an already demanding workload for the senior batter across all three formats.

'With the injury to Jangoo, it brings another ask of probably Shai Hope to take on the mantle of the gloves again. I'm speaking to him. I'm trying to ask him for a couple more favours, because you've got to also consider his workload, keeping in mind the other two formats and asking him to score some real runs. It's a conversation we'll have,' Sammy said.

Historic Milestone at Brian Lara Cricket Academy

The series opener carries additional historical significance: the Brian Lara Cricket Academy will host its first-ever men's Test match, making it the 13th ground in the Caribbean region to stage international red-ball cricket. The match runs from 25 to 29 July. The second Test will be played at the iconic Queen's Park Oval from 2 to 6 August.

With the WTC window narrowing and Pakistan also fighting for position, both sides arrive with genuine stakes — making this a series that matters well beyond the Caribbean.