Islamabad, Jan 19: West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican delivered a career-defining performance on the third day of the first Test in Multan, taking a remarkable seven wickets to crush Pakistan’s batting lineup. His heroics left Pakistan reeling and set up a challenging target of 251 runs for the visitors to chase.
Starting the day at 109/3, Pakistan aimed to extend their lead but suffered a stunning collapse. Key batters Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were dismissed cheaply, both contributing just two runs each. Warrican’s precision dismantled the middle order, reducing Pakistan to 113/5 by the 34th over.
Kamran Ghulam showed some resistance with a gritty 27, but his dismissal exposed Pakistan’s tail. Warrican, relentless in his pursuit, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This achievement made him the first West Indies spinner to take five wickets in an innings against Pakistan on home soil.
The collapse continued as Warrican dismissed Noman Ali (9) and Sajid Khan (5). Adding to his brilliance, Warrican ran out Khurram Shahzad without facing a ball, showcasing sharp fielding to complement his exceptional bowling. Pakistan’s innings finally ended at 157 in 46.4 overs when Gudakesh Motie dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 14.
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However, Warrican finished with sensational figures of 7/32 in 18 overs, a performance that will go down in history. Motie also chipped in with one wicket to round off a dominant bowling effort.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had posted 230 in their first innings, with Saud Shakeel top-scoring with 84 and Mohammad Rizwan adding 71. In reply, the West Indies struggled as Pakistan’s bowlers struck early. Sajid Khan’s fiery opening spell reduced them to 10/2, while Noman Ali’s brilliant five-wicket haul dismantled the rest of the lineup. The visitors were bowled out for 137, conceding a slim lead.
As the match heads into its final phase, the West Indies will feel confident chasing the target, with momentum firmly in their favor thanks to Warrican’s spectacular display. Can Pakistan’s bowlers script a comeback, or will the visitors take the lead in the series? All eyes are on the dramatic conclusion in Multan.
