The second Test match between hosts Pakistan and West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, ending with a remarkable 120-run victory for the visitors. The win not only leveled the series 1-1 but also marked the West Indies’ first victory in Pakistan in 34 years while leaving Pakistan at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 standings.
Day 1: A Nightmare Start for West Indies
West Indies opted to bat first on a track favoring spinners, but their decision backfired early on. Pakistan’s spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan wreaked havoc, reducing the visitors to 38-7 in the first session. Noman’s guile and Sajid’s accuracy left West Indies reeling, and even crossing 100 seemed improbable at one stage. However, the tail wagged spectacularly, led by Gudakesh Motie’s fighting 55. Motie, along with Jomel Warrican (36) and Keemar Roach (25), stitched together vital partnerships, including a brilliant 68-run stand for the last wicket.
West Indies eventually reached a respectable total of 163, with Noman Ali claiming a superb 6-wicket haul. Sajid picked up 2 wickets, while Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one apiece.
Pakistan’s Disastrous Response
Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered under the pressure of the spinning track. They were bundled out for 154, falling 9 runs short of West Indies’ first-innings total. Despite a valiant 68-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (42) and Mohammad Rizwan (32), no other batter managed to stabilize the innings. Once Saud departed at 119-5, the collapse was swift, with the team losing their last five wickets for just 35 runs.
Jomel Warrican starred with the ball for West Indies, taking 4 wickets, while Gudakesh Motie and Keemar Roach contributed with 3 and 2 wickets, respectively.
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West Indies Build a Defendable Target
In their second innings, West Indies showcased resilience on an increasingly challenging pitch. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite led from the front with a gritty 52, while Aamir Jangoo (30), Tevin Imlach (35), and Kevin Sinclair (28) provided valuable support. Their combined efforts propelled the visitors to 244, setting Pakistan a stiff target of 253.
For Pakistan, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan continued their impressive performances, each picking up 4 wickets. Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed added one wicket apiece.
Pakistan Crumble in the Chase
Chasing 253 on a crumbling pitch, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered once again. Babar Azam (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (25) were the only batters to show some resistance, but neither could convert their starts into match-winning contributions. The rest of the lineup crumbled under the pressure, as Pakistan was bowled out for 133, falling 120 runs short of the target.
Jomel Warrican delivered another stellar performance, claiming 5 wickets and securing the Player of the Match award. Kevin Sinclair and Gudakesh Motie provided ample support, taking 3 and 2 wickets, respectively.
Pakistan’s Spin Dilemma: A Tactical Advantage or an Identity Crisis?
Pakistan has learned a crucial lesson from this experience: their batsmen must develop the skills to handle spin effectively if they aim to dominate spin-friendly wickets at home. Otherwise, they risk falling into their trap. Captain Shan Masood also highlighted this issue in the post-match press conference, emphasizing the need for spin-friendly pitches in domestic cricket to help players adapt and improve their game against spin.
However, many experts and fans have expressed concerns that an overreliance on spin-friendly conditions could diminish the role of fast bowling, which has long been Pakistan’s identity and strength. A shift towards excessively spin-dominant pitches might come at the cost of nurturing the country’s historically strong fast-bowling talent, potentially altering the balance of Pakistan’s cricketing DNA.
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