A total of 19 wickets fell on the day, 17 of them taken by spinners, with the remaining two being run-outs. The nature of the pitch was evident from the proceedings. At the end of an extraordinary day, Pakistan took control of the Multan Test.
By the close of play on Day 2 of the first Test, the hosts were 202 runs ahead, with 7 wickets still in hand. Given the state of the pitch, chasing 250 runs in the fourth innings would be extremely challenging.
The day also set a new record for the most wickets to fall in a single day of a Test match in Pakistan. The previous record of 18 wickets was set during the second day of the 2003 Multan Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
After a 141-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, Pakistan collapsed, losing 6 wickets for 43 runs, and were bowled out for 230 in their first innings.
In reply, West Indies were in trouble at 66 for 8, staring at the possibility of being bowled out for less than 100. However, a 25-run ninth-wicket stand and a 46-run partnership for the final wicket helped them reach 137.
All 10 West Indies wickets were taken by Pakistan’s specialist spinners. Off-spinner Sajid Khan claimed the first 4 wickets, left-arm spinner Nauman Ali picked up the next 5, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took the last one.
With a 93-run lead, Pakistan started their second innings strongly. Captain Shan Masood’s fifty took them to 109 for 3 at stumps.
Pakistan resumed the day at 143 for 4, with Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan continuing their recovery from the previous day. The pair took the total to 187 before a collapse began. Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair dismissed Shakeel with the first ball after the drinks break, ending his 186-ball 84, which included 6 fours.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican bowled Salman Ali Agha for his first wicket. A mix-up saw Nauman Ali run out, and on the very next ball, Rizwan was trapped LBW by Sinclair after scoring 71 off 133 balls with 9 fours.
Warrican cleaned up the tail in consecutive overs, finishing with 3 wickets for 69 runs.
In response, West Indies crumbled under pressure early, losing 4 wickets within the first five overs. Sajid dismissed Mckenny Clarke and Casey Carty off consecutive balls, with Carty falling to an incredible one-handed catch by debutant Mohammad Huraira at short leg.
Sajid then removed Kraigg Brathwaite and Kavem Hodge in his next over. The middle-order fared no better as Nauman dismissed Justin Greaves, debutant Tevin Imlach, Alick Athanaze, and Sinclair in quick succession.
Among the top seven batsmen, only captain Brathwaite reached double digits, scoring 11 runs.
Gudakesh Motie and Warrican extended the innings to 91 with a 25-run stand before Nauman claimed his fifth wicket by dismissing Motie for 19. The final-wicket pair of Warrican and Jayden Seales added a rapid 46 runs off 21 balls. Abrar ended Seales’ fiery 22 off 13 balls, leaving Warrican unbeaten on 31 from 24 balls, which included 4 fours and a six.
Pakistan started their second innings on a strong note, with openers Huraira and Masood adding 67 runs. Huraira was trapped LBW by Warrican after scoring 29 off 62 balls. Babar Azam followed shortly, also falling LBW to Warrican for just 5 runs. Kamran Ghulam survived a close LBW call on review but remained unbeaten.
Masood completed his fifty off 60 balls but was run out after a mix-up with Kamran. His 70-ball 52 included two fours and two sixes. The day ended early due to bad light, with Kamran (9*) and Shakeel (2*) unbeaten at the crease.
Scores Summary:
- Pakistan 1st innings: 230 in 68.5 overs (Shakeel 84, Rizwan 71; Warrican 3/69, Sinclair 2/61)
- West Indies 1st innings: 137 in 25.2 overs (Warrican 31*, Motie 19; Nauman 5/39, Sajid 4/65)
- Pakistan 2nd innings: 109/3 in 31 overs (Masood 52, Huraira 29; Warrican 2/17)
