Key points
- Sajid Khan takes 9 wickets
- Abrar Ahmed claims 5 wickets
- Jomel Warrican takes 7 in spin-tricky overs to bundle hosts out for 157
MULTAN, Pakistan: Spinner Sajid Khan took five wickets to guide Pakistan to a 127-run win in the first Test of the two-match series against the visitors in Multan.
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Sajid took 5-50 on the third day of the Test to end with nine wickets for the match, while fellow spinner Abrar Ahmed took 4-27 as the West Indies were bundled out for 123 after they were set a target of 251 to win.
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Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed delivered match-winning performances to help Pakistan secure a commanding victory over the West Indies, taking a 1-0 lead in the series in Multan on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Sajid Khan delivered a stellar performance on the third day of the opening match against the West Indies in Multan. Sajid took four crucial wickets, halting the hosts’ progress and putting the visitors in a commanding position. He was ably supported by Nouman Ali, who dismissed Justin Greaves for just 9 runs, further restricting the West Indies’ total.
4️⃣ wickets in the first innings, 5️⃣ in the second 💪
Sajid Khan’s magical bowling delivers Pakistan victory ✨#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/IWg2aNuqVf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 19, 2025
Earlier, West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican took a career-best seven-wicket haul to dismiss the hosts for 157 on the third day of the first Test in Multan on Sunday, giving the visitors a target of 251 to win.
Warrican finished with 7-32 in 18 overs after the hosts resumed at 109-3 but managed to contribute just 48 runs as spinners continued to dominate at Multan Stadium.
Pakistan obtained a lead of 202 runs against the West Indies after the spin duo, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, delivered a stellar performance to dismantle the West Indies for a modest 137 runs on the second day of the first Test at Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts gained a significant first-innings lead of 93 runs and ended the day at 109-3 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 202 runs.
Resuming the day on 143-4, Pakistan’s batting lineup faced a collapse as they were bowled out for 230 in their first innings.
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, who had steadied the innings with a critical fifth-wicket partnership of 141 runs on Day 1, began the day cautiously.
Shakeel crafted a gritty 84 off 157 balls, featuring six boundaries, before falling to Kevin Sinclair immediately after the drinks break.
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Rizwan contributed a resilient 71 from 133 deliveries, adorned with nine boundaries, before being trapped leg-before by Sinclair on review.
Despite their efforts, the lower order faltered. Salman Ali Agha (2) was dismissed by Jomel Warrican, while Noman Ali was run out without scoring.
Sajid Khan provided a brief but impactful cameo, scoring 18 runs, including a four and a six, before being bowled by Warrican.
The West Indies spinners dominated, with Warrican (3-69) and Sinclair (2-61) sharing five wickets, while Jayden Seales picked up 3-27 to limit Pakistan’s total.
In response, West Indies faced a daunting task against Pakistan’s spinners. Sajid Khan tore through the top order, claiming four wickets and setting the tone for a dominant performance.
Noman Ali capitalised on the momentum, taking a five-wicket haul to leave the visitors in disarray. Only tail-ender Jomel Warrican showed some resistance with a fighting 31, which included four boundaries and a six.
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Abrar Ahmed claimed the final wicket, dismissing Jayden Seales to close the innings at 137.
With a commanding lead, Pakistan’s openers Shan Masood and Muhammad Huraira began the second innings confidently.
Huraira scored 29 before falling to Warrican, who also dismissed Babar Azam cheaply for just 5 runs.
Shan Masood led from the front with a composed 52 but was dismissed late in the session, leaving Pakistan at 109-3 when bad light forced an early stumps. Kamran Ghulam (8*) and Saud Shakeel (4*) were at the crease when play ended.
The match holds significance as the two-match series serves as Pakistan’s last opportunity to improve its standing in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. The West Indies, playing a Test series in Pakistan for the first time since 2006, currently sit at the bottom of the Championship table.
Pakistan Playing XI
Shan Masood (c), Muhammad Huraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad.
West Indies Playing XI
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales. With some input from AFP.
