Shaheen Afridi was named Player of the Series on Tuesday (August 24) after he took four wickets to spur Pakistan to a 109-run victory over the West Indies in the second and final Betway Test at Sabina Park.

Afridi took 4-43 as the home side, resuming from their overnight total of 49-1 and needing 329 for victory, was bowled out for 219. Jason Holder top-scored with 49 and Kraigg Brathwaite made 39 in another tepid display of batting that saw the West Indies get beyond 250 once during the series.

Kyle Mayers scored 32, his first runs of the series and Jermaine Blackwood, a hard-fought 25 but they were no match for Pakistan attack led by Afridi, who took 10 wickets in the match for the first time in his career and the best by a Pakistani pace bowler in 15 years.

His match figures of 10-94 are the best by a Pakistan pacer since Mohammad Asif took 11-71 against Sri Lanka in April 2006. He finished with 18 in the series but said the victory was a team effort.

“Such a great effort, it’s a team effort. The team needed from me and I delivered this time. It was tough because last day and the weather is really hot,” said the 21-year-old pace bowler.

“As a team we knew that getting one wicket would get us another, so we looked to give 100 per cent. All credit goes to my brother Riaz Afridi – he’s a brother, he’s a father, he’s everything to me. Credit to my family as well who are always praying for me.”

Meanwhile, West Indies Captain Kraigg Brathwaite believes his team was up against it even though his team had Pakistan three wickets down with just two runs on the board in the opening exchanges of the match last Friday.

“I think we were behind the 8-ball from the start. I think it’s mindset. Test cricket is never easy. All the guys technically can bat, it’s all mindset,” he argued.

“First 30 balls is always the toughest period and finding out ways through that phase is key for us. I still think it’s a positive since we didn’t lose the series,” said Brathwaite, who praised his bowlers for their consistent quality during the series.

“We let ourselves down in the first innings of this match. Kudos to the bowlers again for leading the way. We made some strides in the series, but this Test the first innings really let us down.  [Seales] is a star in the making, you see him getting over 250 wickets. I know he has a big future ahead.

“With the experience in our bowling group guiding, he for sure is a future star. [Pakistan] as a bowling unit they were very consistent. Batting wise, their guys who got in in the first innings went big.”

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam believes the 158-run partnership with Fawad Alam, who scored an unbeaten 124 not out in Pakistan’s first innings that rescued Pakistan from 3-2, was the turning point of the match.

“It was an important game for us after losing the first one. The way I played with Fawad and made that partnership was crucial and I thank the almighty for getting us this win,” said Babar, who made 75.

“The partnership helped us and then that exceptional spell from Shaheen yesterday made things easy for us. We knew that the ball would turn on the last day and it worked out well.”

Regarding the second innings declaration that gave the West Indies five sessions to chase a gettable target, Babar said it was a calculated risk to try and achieve victory.

“The plan was to take it to 330-340 and give them whatever number of overs were left after that on day 4. We needed to win the series so we had to take a bold decision. The bowlers delivered, Nauman (Ali) 3-52, especially on the final day, took some crucial wickets.

“We thought the last day would help the spinners, some patches were being formed. We knew it would assist Nauman and he used it well. [Shaheen] he is a genuine talent, seems like he’s improving day by day and it’s lovely to have and watch someone like him in the team.”

Scores in the match: Pakistan 302-9 declared and 176-6 declared. West Indies 150 and 219.