On the first day of the second and final Test in Multan, Pakistan found itself caught in the spin trap set by West Indies. In response to the visitors’ 163 runs in the first innings, Pakistan was bowled out for 154, handing West Indies a 9-run lead.
Pakistan’s Struggling Batting Performance
At the Multan International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s batting struggled from the outset after West Indies posted a modest first-innings total. The hosts lost four wickets early before Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan offered some resistance, but they failed to guide the team to a commanding score.
Pakistan lost their first wicket at 22 runs when Mohammad Huraira was dismissed for 9 runs by Kemar Roach. Soon after, Babar Azam was bowled for just 1 run. Captain Shan Masood was also bowled by Roach after scoring 15, while Kamran Ghulam managed only 16 runs before being dismissed.
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan tried to stabilize the innings, but at the team score of 119, Shakeel fell after scoring 32 runs off Jomel Warrican. Rizwan, who appeared to be in good form, narrowly missed his half-century, getting out for 49. The tail-end batters failed to contribute significantly, with Kashif Ali and Nauman Ali dismissed for ducks. Sajid Khan remained unbeaten on 16 runs.
West Indies’ spin duo dominated Pakistan’s batting lineup, with Jomel Warrican taking 4 wickets and Gudakesh Motie picking up 3. Kemar Roach also chipped in with 2 wickets.
West Indies’ First Innings
Earlier in the match, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and chose to bat first. However, their innings didn’t start well, as debutant pacer Kashif Ali dismissed Michael Lewis for 0 in his opening over.
Sajid Khan then dismissed Ameer Jangoo, and Nauman Ali delivered a sensational performance, taking 6 wickets, including a hat-trick. Nauman became the first Pakistani spinner to achieve a hat-trick in Test cricket.
West Indies’ innings wrapped up at 163, with Gudakesh Motie standing out as the top scorer with 55 runs. Seven players failed to reach double figures, and four were dismissed for ducks.
For Pakistan, Nauman Ali’s 6-wicket haul was the highlight of the innings, while Sajid Khan took 2 wickets, and Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed claimed one each.
Pakistan Leads Series 1-0
Pakistan already holds a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series after winning the first Test by 127 runs at the same venue, where spinners took all 20 wickets.
The second Test has already set the stage for an exciting contest as both teams look to take control in the remaining days. It remains to be seen which side will emerge victorious in this crucial encounter.