In a thrilling match on the third day of the first Test in Multan, Pakistan claimed a commanding 127-run victory against the West Indies. The win came as a result of Pakistan’s spinners’ excellent performance, with Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed leading the charge in the second innings. Pakistan’s victory was well deserved, as the West Indies fell short of their target of 251, getting dismissed for just 123 runs.
Pakistan’s Spinners Shine Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed Key Role
In a remarkable display of spin bowling, Pakistan’s spinners took all 10 wickets in the West Indies’ second innings. Sajid Khan was the star performer, taking 5 wickets for 50 runs, bringing his match figures to 9 wickets for 115 runs. Abrar Ahmed also had an outstanding performance, claiming 4 wickets for just 27 runs. Their brilliant bowling restricted the West Indies and helped Pakistan seal the win.
Spinners’ Performance in Second Innings
Bowler | Wickets | Runs Given | Economy Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Sajid Khan | 5 | 50 | 2.00 |
Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 27 | 1.35 |
Wasim Akram’s Praise for Pakistan’s Performance
Following the match, legendary bowler Wasim Akram took to social media to commend Pakistan’s performance. He praised the team’s clinical approach, acknowledging how they made the most of the home conditions. He expressed that the win would provide a huge boost to the team’s confidence and would uplift the morale of not only the team but also their fans across the nation.
Akram’s message was clear: using home conditions to their advantage had been key to Pakistan’s success, and if this formula worked, it should be continued for future matches.
Pakistan Spin-Friendly Pitch Strategy
Pakistan’s strategy of making the pitch spin-friendly played a crucial role in their victory. The ground staff in Multan ensured that the pitch was difficult for the batsmen, creating a turner that suited the spinners. Despite the weather conditions being unfavorable with cloudy skies and nearly half of the first day’s play lost, Pakistan’s spinners made the most of the conditions, ensuring that West Indies were constantly under pressure.
Key Stats of Pakistan’s Pitch Strategy
Factor | Details |
---|---|
Pitch Type | Spin-friendly, favoring spinners |
Day 1 Weather Impact | Nearly half of the day was lost |
Spin Performance | Pakistan’s spinners dominated |
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan Crucial Partnership
One of the most important moments in Pakistan’s first innings was the 141-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. Their partnership was likely the difference between the two teams under challenging conditions. Their solid batting performance helped Pakistan post a competitive total, which eventually proved to be too much for the West Indies to chase.
Key Batting Partnership in First Innings
Player 1 | Player 2 | Partnership Runs |
---|---|---|
Saud Shakeel | Mohammad Rizwan | 141 |
West Indies’ Struggles Lack of Spin Threat
While Pakistan used spin effectively, West Indies struggled with their spin bowling. Jomel Warrican showed excellent control, particularly in the second innings, but the other two West Indies spinners were unable to consistently land the ball in the right areas. Pakistan’s spinners, on the other hand, consistently troubled the West Indies batsmen, making it difficult for them to get settled.
West Indies’ Spin Bowling Performance
Bowler | Wickets | Runs Given | Economy Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Jomel Warrican | 2 | 60 | 3.00 |
Other Spinners | 0 | 92 | 4.60 |
Looking Ahead The Second Test
With this thrilling victory behind them, Pakistan will now prepare for the second and final Test match against the West Indies, scheduled to start on Saturday. The Multan Test has shown how effective Pakistan’s spin strategy can be, and they will look to continue their dominant performance in the next match.
Pakistan’s spinners played a decisive role in the 127-run victory against West Indies. With this win, Pakistan has proved that making the most of home conditions can be a winning formula. Fans are hopeful that the team will continue their winning streak in the upcoming second Test.
Upcoming Test Match Details
Opponent | Date | Venue |
---|---|---|
West Indies | Saturday | Multan |