In a captivating display of spin bowling, Pakistan emerged victorious by 127 runs against the West Indies on the third day of the first Test match in Multan. The remarkable performance by Pakistan’s spinners, including Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed, led to the West Indies’ dismissal for a mere 123 runs, as they fell short of the victory target of 251.
Sajid and Abrar Shine in Pakistan’s First Test Win
Sajid Khan’s Spectacular Five-Wicket Haul
Sajid Khan put on a stellar performance, finishing with figures of 5-50 in the second innings, which contributed to his impressive match figures of 9-115. His pivotal breakthroughs included the dismissal of Alick Athanaze, the only West Indian batter to score a half-century in the match. Sajid’s accuracy and variations kept the opposition’s batters under constant pressure, ensuring Pakistan had a significant edge in the final innings.
Abrar Ahmed’s Crucial Role in the Spin Attack
Abrar Ahmed, the leg-spinner, also played a vital role in Pakistan’s victory by taking 4 wickets for 27 runs in the second innings. His performance was instrumental in breaking the West Indies’ resistance, particularly with his crucial wicket of Jomel Warrican, which sealed the match for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Dominance in Spin-Friendly Conditions
The Multan pitch was tailor-made for spinners, with sharp turn and uneven bounce. The West Indies’ batters struggled to cope with the conditions, as Pakistan’s spinners exploited the surface to great effect. Alongside Sajid and Abrar, Noman Ali also contributed with a wicket and played a key role in dismissing the tourists for just 123 runs.
Alick Athanaze: The Lone Warrior for West Indies
Alick Athanaze was the standout performer for the West Indies, scoring 55 runs in an otherwise disappointing batting display. His innings included a partnership of 41 runs with Tevin Imlach for the sixth wicket, providing some hope for the visitors. However, once Athanaze was dismissed by Sajid, the West Indies’ resistance crumbled quickly.
Warrican’s Heroic Effort in Pakistan’s Second Innings
On the bowling front, Jomel Warrican’s performance stood out for the West Indies. The left-arm spinner delivered an impressive career-best performance, claiming 7 wickets for 32 runs in Pakistan’s second innings. His efforts were crucial in restricting Pakistan’s score to just 157, despite the home team’s struggles with batting on a challenging pitch.
Pakistan’s Batting Challenges
Despite the overwhelming dominance of the spin attack, Pakistan’s batting lineup faced challenges on the difficult pitch. The team resumed their second innings at 109-3, but they could only manage to add 48 more runs before being bowled out. The West Indies bowlers, led by Warrican, fought back hard, but it was not enough to defend a modest total.
Shan Masood’s Reflections on Pakistan’s Performance
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, praised his spinners for their clinical performances but expressed concern over the batting department. While acknowledging the challenging conditions, Masood emphasized the need for improvement in the batting to build bigger totals in the upcoming matches.
“I’m proud of our spinners. Abrar, Noman, and Sajid were fantastic, but we need to add more runs with the last few wickets,” said Masood in his post-match interview. “The batting was tough, but we need to ensure that we get bigger runs in the future.”
Kraigg Brathwaite’s Call for Resilience from West Indies’ Batters
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite reflected on the performance of his side and stressed the importance of resilience and self-belief. He singled out Alick Athanaze’s innings as an example of how the batters should approach the challenge in the upcoming matches.
“We have to believe in ourselves and play with bravery,” Brathwaite said. “Alick showed us the way, and we have to follow that mindset in the next Test.”
A Historic Test Match in Multan
This Test match was a historical one for Multan, marking the first time a Test match was played in the city since 2006. The pitch conditions, which favored spinners, played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the match. With such a strong performance, Pakistan now leads the two-Test series 1-0, and they will aim to seal the series victory in the upcoming match.
Looking Ahead: The Second Test
The second Test match will take place in Multan, beginning on January 25. With Pakistan’s spinners in such fine form, the West Indies will need to regroup and find a way to combat the spin challenge. The visitors will be hoping for a more resilient batting performance to avoid a series defeat.
FAQs
1. What was the final result of the first Test match between Pakistan and West Indies? Pakistan won the first Test by 127 runs, with West Indies being bowled out for 123 in their second innings.
2. Who were the standout performers for Pakistan in this match? Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed were the standout performers, with Sajid taking 5 wickets in the second innings and Abrar claiming 4.
3. How did Alick Athanaze perform for the West Indies? Alick Athanaze was the top scorer for the West Indies with 55 runs, the only half-century of the match for the tourists.
4. Who was the best bowler for the West Indies in this match? Jomel Warrican was the best bowler for the West Indies, claiming 7 wickets for 32 runs in Pakistan’s second innings.
5. What is the schedule for the next Test between Pakistan and West Indies? The second Test between Pakistan and West Indies will start on January 25, 2025, in Multan.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s spin attack was the difference maker in the first Test against the West Indies in Multan, as they dominated the visitors to secure a 127-run victory. Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed’s brilliant bowling performance ensured a commanding win for Pakistan, who now head into the second Test with a 1-0 lead. The West Indies will need to regroup and make adjustments to their batting approach to compete in the next match.
