Pakistan's spinners dominate as Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed seal victory over West Indies in record-breaking Multan Test

Pakistan's dynamic spin duo, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed, powered their team to a commanding 127-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test in Multan. The match, wrapped up on the third day, saw spinners dominating on a turn-friendly track, bundling the visitors out for 123 while defending a target of 251.

Historic Test Match Ends in Record Time

This encounter became the shortest completed men's Test in Pakistan, with all 40 wickets falling in just 1,064 balls. The Multan pitch proved a spinner's paradise, with 16 wickets tumbling on the final day alone.

Jomel Warrican's impressive seven-wicket haul earlier restricted Pakistan's second innings to 157, giving West Indies a fighting chance. However, the visitors struggled to build partnerships on the challenging surface.

Khan's Early Breakthroughs Set the Tone

West Indies' chase began on a shaky note as Kraigg Brathwaite (12) was caught at deep mid-wicket attempting a six off Khan. Keacy Carty (6) soon followed, with a top-edge caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Khan further dismantled the top order, bowling out Kavem Hodge (0) and Mikyle Louis (13), leaving West Indies reeling at 37-4.

Athanaze Resists, But Ahmed Delivers

Alick Athanaze fought valiantly, scoring a brisk 55 to keep the visitors in the game. Despite his counterattack, Ahmed dismissed key batters Tevin Imlach (14) and Kevin Sinclair (10) before trapping Athanaze leg-before. Sajid Khan ended with match figures of 9 wickets, including a five-for in the second innings, earning the player-of-the-match honors.

"The wicket had a lot of turn and bounce... it was our strategy to throttle the runs. If we could do that, wickets would come automatically," said Khan, reflecting on Pakistan's game plan.

Pakistan's Winning Streak Continues

This victory marked Pakistan's third consecutive home Test win, following their 2-1 series triumph over England in October. While the win showcased Pakistan's spin strength, captain Shan Masood emphasized the need for improvements.

"In the second innings, we folded cheaply. There are improvements to be made. When you win, you can go on a happy ride and be happy. But we can't do that," said Masood.

Warrican's Heroics Highlight West Indies' Fight

Despite the loss, Warrican's bowling performance was a standout. "We’ll take a look at how Warrican bowled. As spinners, we should take a look at that. He was bringing the batters forward," said West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite.

Heading into the second Test at the same venue on January 25, Brathwaite urged his team to be more aggressive. "It's important to be positive on these types of pitches. We should show intent... if we can bring it together batting and bowling-wise, we can come out on top."

This thrilling Test was a showcase of spin dominance and tactical brilliance, setting the stage for an exciting finale in Multan. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping series.

SportsLigue