The left-arm spinner impressed Kraigg Brathwaite not only with his exceptional bowling but also with his contributions with the bat.
In the first Test of the series, Jomel Warrican took 10 wickets but still had to endure the heartbreak of a loss. However, in the second Test, he claimed 9 wickets and became the hero of West Indies’ victory. Warrican’s performance with the bat was equally remarkable, leaving Brathwaite, the West Indies captain, delighted. To him, Warrican was “outstanding” throughout the series.
On Monday, West Indies defeated Pakistan by 120 runs in Multan in the second Test, wrapping up the match in just two and a half days. It marked their first Test victory in Pakistan in over 34 years, with Warrican playing a key role.
Before this series, Warrican had 54 wickets in 17 Test matches without ever claiming 5 wickets in an innings, let alone 10 wickets in a match. But in Multan’s spin-friendly conditions, Warrican thrived. In the first Test, he took 3 wickets in the first innings and 7 for 32 in the second. In the second Test, he picked up 4 for 43 in the first innings and 5 for 27 in the second. His 19 wickets earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Those 19 wickets are the highest by any visiting bowler in a two-Test series in Pakistan. Additionally, it ties the record for the most wickets by a West Indian in a two-match series.
After the memorable win, the 32-year-old received high praise from captain Brathwaite.
“Jomel was outstanding. From the very first ball, the way he bowled and built pressure was amazing to watch.”
Warrican also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 85 runs, making him the fourth-highest scorer of the series. Another spinner, Gudakesh Motie, scored 92 runs, making the two highest run-scorers for West Indies in the series both bowlers. This statistic alone highlights how difficult batting conditions were and how crucial their contributions were.
In the second Test, after winning the toss and opting to bat, West Indies found themselves in dire straits, losing 7 wickets for 38 runs and eventually being reduced to 95 for 9. However, an invaluable 68-run partnership for the last wicket between Motie and Warrican turned the tide in their favor.
Brathwaite was quick to acknowledge Warrican’s batting effort as well. The West Indies skipper expressed his pride in how the spinner seized his opportunity and showcased his skills throughout the series.
“I think he did an excellent job with the bat too. But speaking of his bowling, I know he’s worked hard over the years. He’s been in and out of the team, but it’s great to see him get this opportunity and make the most of it. I’m very proud of him; he was outstanding.”
In January last year, West Indies achieved a remarkable victory against Australia in Brisbane, their first win against Australia in 21 years and the first in Australia in 27 years.
Exactly a year later, they broke another long-standing drought by winning a Test series in Pakistan. Brathwaite believes this victory reflects their ability to adapt to different conditions.
“This is a very important win for us. It shows that if we believe in ourselves and stick to our plans, we can win in any conditions. Coming here, playing in Pakistan, and winning a Test match is never easy, so this victory is truly special.”
