In a dominant display of spin bowling, Pakistan crushed the West Indies in the first Test match of Pakistan vs West Indies of the two-match series in Multan. The home side’s resounding victory has given them a 1-0 lead in the series, leaving the visitors reeling ahead of the second Test.
The match, delayed briefly due to extreme weather conditions and dense fog, began with Pakistan electing to bat first. However, their start was nothing short of disastrous. The West Indies’ 23-year-old pacer Jayden Seales wreaked havoc with the new ball, reducing Pakistan to a precarious 46-4 early in the innings.
Pakistan Survives Early Collapse to Set Competitive Totals
Amidst the collapse, vice-captain Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan mounted a remarkable recovery. Their partnership of 141 runs for the fifth wicket stabilized the innings, with Shakeel contributing a resilient 84 and Rizwan adding a crucial 71.
Despite their valiant efforts, Pakistan’s tail failed to wag, and the team was bundled out for 230. Jayden Seales and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican were the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies, claiming three wickets apiece.
In response, the West Indies’ batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of Pakistan’s spin attack. Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan spun a web around the visitors, taking five and four wickets respectively. The Caribbean side managed a meager 137 runs, with only the lower-order trio of Gudakesh Motie (19), Jomel Warrican (31), and Jayden Seales (22) providing some resistance. Pakistan secured a vital first-innings lead of 93 runs.
Pakistan’s second innings aimed at setting a challenging target for the West Indies. However, they struggled yet again, with only captain Shan Masood standing tall amid the chaos. Masood’s gritty knock of 52 was pivotal, supported by minor contributions from debutant Muhammad Huraira (29) and Kamran Ghulam (27). Jomel Warrican was the star of the show for the West Indies, delivering a masterclass in spin bowling to claim astonishing figures of 7-32. Pakistan were dismissed for 157, setting a target of 250 for the visitors.
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“Spinning a Trap in the Fourth Innings, Pakistan Secures an Unstoppable Victory!”
Chasing a tricky total on a spin-friendly pitch, the West Indies succumbed once more to Pakistan’s spin trio. Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed tore through the batting lineup, taking five and four wickets respectively, while Nauman Ali chipped in with a crucial scalp. Despite a fighting 55 from Alick Athanaze, the West Indies’ innings bundled out on 123. Sajid Khan’s outstanding match figures of 9 wickets earned him the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan’s comprehensive 127-run victory highlighted the gulf between the two sides in handling spin-friendly conditions. The second and final Test of the series will also be held in Multan, starting on January 25, where the West Indies will aim to stage a comeback against a dominant Pakistan team.
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