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Pakistan defeated the West Indies by 127 runs in the opening match of their two-match Test series, taking a 1-0 lead. The victory in the Multan Test was built on stellar performances from the spinners, with Sajid Khan leading the charge, claiming a five-wicket haul.
Chasing a target of 251, the West Indies started cautiously but were soon under pressure. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was the first to fall, dismissed by Sajid for 12, leaving the visitors struggling at 16/1 in the 4.2 overs.
Sajid struck again just two overs later, sending Keacy Carty back to the pavilion for six, as the West Indies were reduced to 26/2 in the 6.2 overs.
Kavem Hodge failed to make an impact, falling for a duck as Sajid claimed his third wicket, leaving the West Indies at 32/3.
The Caribbean side continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Sajid taking his fourth wicket by dismissing Mikyle Louis for 13, further dismantling the top order.
Noman Ali joined the wicket-taking spree, removing Justin Greaves for nine to leave the West Indies at 37/5.
A small partnership between Alick Athanaze and Tevin Imlach provided some resistance, as the pair put on 41 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Abrar Ahmed broke the stand, dismissing Imlach to reduce the West Indies to 78/6.
Abrar’s momentum continued, as he removed Kevin Sinclair for 13, further tightening Pakistan’s grip on the match.
In the very next over, Abrar struck again, removing Gudakesh Motie for a golden duck, leaving the West Indies in deep trouble at 123/8.
Sajid Khan wrapped up the match by dismissing Athanaze, who had scored a vital 55 runs, for the final blow, leaving the West Indies all out for 123.
Pakistan’s bowlers were in full control, with Sajid Khan finishing with five wickets, while Abrar Ahmed took four and Noman Ali claimed one.
Earlier in Pakistan’s second innings, Jomel Warrican was the star for the West Indies, claiming career-best figures of 7/32 to bowl Pakistan out for just 157. The hosts had resumed their innings at 109/3, but Warrican’s devastating spell caused a dramatic collapse.
In just two overs, Pakistan lost vice-captain Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan for just two runs apiece. The hosts were soon reduced to 113/5, with Kamran Ghulam departing for 27 runs. Warrican then picked up his maiden five-wicket haul and became the first West Indian spinner to achieve this feat against Pakistan on their home soil.
As Pakistan’s batting order crumbled, Noman Ali was dismissed for nine, and Sajid Khan was sent back for five. A direct hit from Warrican ran out Khurram Shahzad for a duck, and Gudakesh Motie dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 14, wrapping up Pakistan’s innings at 157.
With the win, Pakistan now leads the series 1-0, with the second Test to follow.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: 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: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales.
