A thrilling opening Test match between West Indies and Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy has ended in a storybook result, with the Caribbean side sealing a 90-run victory one full day ahead of schedule. This unexpected early triumph clears the way for every Barbadian player and member of the West Indies coaching and support staff to travel home to attend the state funeral of cricket icon Sir Garfield Sobers, scheduled for Wednesday at Bridgetown’s historic Kensington Oval.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley shared the details of the last-minute arrangements during an appearance on the popular Mason and Guest Cricket Show, confirming that all logistics have been finalized to bring the squad home in time for the service. “The good news is that we’ve just completed the arrangements, and if all goes well the players and coach Floyd Reifer should all be coming in, so we look forward to them being here for the state funeral tomorrow,” Mottley told listeners.
The Prime Minister recounted a lighthearted moment that preceded the match, revealing an acquaintance had joked that the team would deliberately wrap up victory in four days to make it to the funeral. “When they said it to me, I smiled at the time and I said I wish, and last night when I saw what had happened, I said, OK, OK, this can go either way, and I said a little prayer,” she shared.
Mottley also extended public praise to West Indies captain Roston Chase, highlighting his thoughtful leadership through what has been an emotionally charged week for the team and the entire Caribbean cricket community. “Roston was very clear and I mean it was a wonderful conversation, and I really want to salute him, his steadiness, his purpose, his commitment, and his understanding of the significance of the moment for the people of this nation and for the people of this region and of course the wider team,” she said.
Thousands of mourners and cricket fans from across the globe are expected to gather at Kensington Oval to honor Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-round cricketers in the history of the sport, with the West Indies squad now set to join the tribute after their timely on-field victory.