Pakistan Takes 1-0 Lead in Test Series with 127-Run Victory over West Indies in Multan
Pakistan took a commanding 1-0 lead in the Test series against the West Indies with a dominant 127-run win in Multan.
On a spin-friendly pitch, Sajid Khan once again shone in the second innings, and Abrar Ahmed came in at the end to dismantle the West Indies’ batting lineup. The West Indies were overwhelmed by the spin duo, and Pakistan took an unassailable lead in the series with this remarkable victory.
The first Test match ended in just two and a half days in Multan. Pakistan set a target of 251 runs for the West Indies, but the tourists collapsed to just 123 runs.
Sajid Khan, who had taken four wickets in the first innings, grabbed five wickets in the second innings, marking his fourth five-wicket haul in a Test. His superb performance earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
In addition to Sajid’s heroics, Abrar Ahmed, who had claimed a wicket in the first innings, took four in the second. Noman Ali, who had taken five wickets in the first innings, picked up one more in the second.
Pakistan’s spinners claimed all 20 wickets in the match. This marks the fifth time that Pakistan’s spin attack has claimed all the wickets in a Test match.
On the first day, West Indies’ spinner Jomel Warrican was in impressive form, taking a career-best seven wickets for just 32 runs. No West Indian bowler has claimed more wickets than him on Pakistani soil.
The pitch in Multan was a nightmare for the batsmen. Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan had predicted on day two that the match could end in three days, and the match concluded in just two and a half days, thanks to the dominance of the spin bowlers.
In the match, a total of 1,064 balls were bowled, the least ever in a Test on Pakistani soil.
Pakistan, starting day three with 109 for three, was quickly dismantled by Warrican. He took the crucial wickets of Saud Shakeel, Rizwan, and Kamran Gulam in quick succession, completing his first five-wicket haul in a Test.
Noman and Sajid both quickly followed suit, sending the Pakistan batsmen back to the dressing room. Pakistan’s innings ended at 157, setting West Indies a daunting target of 251.
The West Indies’ chase faltered immediately. Sajid Khan, with his brilliant spin, took four wickets for 37 runs, starting with the wicket of Craig Brathwaite. He also claimed two key wickets in the next over, removing Casey Carty and later, Kavem Hodge and Mikhail Louis.
Noman Ali, having earlier been denied a wicket via a review, finally got Justin Greaves LBW. Abrar Ahmed then struck, removing Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, and Motie in quick succession.
The West Indies crumbled, with Ali Athanaze’s 48-ball half-century providing a glimmer of resistance. However, Sajid Khan dismissed him for his fifth wicket. Warrican was bowled out, and Pakistan celebrated a comprehensive victory.
In the end, the West Indies were all out for 123, handing Pakistan a 127-run win.
Match Summary:
- Pakistan 1st Innings: 230
- West Indies 1st Innings: 137
- Pakistan 2nd Innings: 157 (Kamran 27, Shakeel 2, Rizwan 2, Salman 14, Noman 9, Sajid 5, Khurram 0, Abrar 0*; Motie 11.4-0-48-1, Seales 10-0-37-0, Sinclair 5-1-16-0, Warrican 18-3-32-7, Hodge 2-0-13-0)
- West Indies 2nd Innings (Target 251): 123 (Brathwaite 12, Louis 13, Carty 6, Hodge 0, Athanaze 55, Greaves 9, Imlach 14, Sinclair 10, Motie 0, Warrican 0, Seales 0*; Sajid 15-3-50-5, Abrar 11.3-2-27-4, Noman 10-1-42-1)
Result: Pakistan won by 127 runs
Man of the Match: Sajid Khan
Series: Pakistan leads 1-0 in the 2-Test series.
