Islamabad, Jan 27: Pakistan’s strategy of relying on a spinning track backfired spectacularly in the second Test in Multan. West Indies capitalized on the conditions to clinch a memorable 120-run victory, leveling the series 1-1. The match, marked by volatile batting and masterful spin bowling, saw Pakistan skittled out for a mere 133 on Day 3, handing the visitors their first Test win in Pakistan in 35 years.
The game started with West Indies struggling in their first innings, bowled out for 163. Noman Ali was the star for Pakistan, claiming an impressive 6/41 and reducing the visitors to 38/7. However, Gudakesh Motie (55) and Jomel Warrican (36*) provided crucial resistance, lifting their team to a respectable total.
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In response, Pakistan failed to capitalize, managing only 154. Jomel Warrican’s 4/43 and Gudakesh Motie’s 3/49 exposed Pakistan’s batting frailties. Mohammad Rizwan’s gritty 49 offered a glimmer of hope, but poor shot selection from Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, and Kamran Ghulam left Pakistan trailing.
West Indies’ second innings showcased a determined approach, with Kraigg Brathwaite leading the charge with 52 runs. Key contributions from Amir Jangoo, Kevin Sinclair, and Tevin Imlach pushed their score to 244, setting Pakistan a challenging target of 254. Noman Ali’s match haul of 10/121 was remarkable, but Pakistan’s batting woes persisted.
Chasing 254, Pakistan collapsed under relentless pressure. Babar Azam’s 31 was the lone resistance as Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican dismantled the batting lineup with ease. The defeat highlights Pakistan’s persistent issues in the Test format, where even tailored conditions fail to secure victories. Serious introspection is required to overcome these setbacks in future campaigns.
