MULTAN, Pakistan – Pakistan’s spinning maestros, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed, orchestrated a sensational 127-run victory over the West Indies within three days at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The formidable duo mesmerized the visitors, overshadowing a career-best performance from West Indies leg spinner Jomel Warrican in a match that saw an astonishing 17 wickets tumble on the final day.
Warrican’s heroics set early drama
Resuming their second innings at 109 for three, Pakistan’s middle order crumbled under Warrican’s masterful spell. The leg spinner wreaked havoc, claiming 7 for 32—the best figures of his career—and finishing with remarkable match figures of 10 for 101.
Warrican wasted no time, dismissing Saud Shakeel with the day’s first ball, caught at midwicket by Justin Greaves. Moments later, Mohammad Rizwan edged a sharp turner to first slip, where Kavem Hodge completed a clean catch.
His magic continued as he trapped both Kamran Ghulam and Noman Ali’s leg before wicket and had Sajid Khan caught at backward point by West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, as Pakistan crumbled to 157 all out. This left the West Indies needing a challenging 251 runs to win on a wicket, which offered a significant turn.
Sajid Khan demolishes the West Indies top order
The West Indies’ chase got off to a disastrous start as Sajid Khan, later named Player of the Match, scythed through their top order with clinical precision.
Brathwaite fell first for 12, mistiming an aggressive shot to midwicket. Keacy Carty managed just 6 before a misjudged sweep popped into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Kavem Hodge was clean-bowled for a duck when a sharply turning delivery sneaked between bat and pad. Opener Mikyle Louis, showing some intent, perished for 13, bowled while charging down the track.
By lunch, the West Indies were teetering at 54 for five, with Pakistan firmly in control.
Athanaze stands alone amid the ruins
Amid the chaos, Alick Athanaze stood as the sole pillar of resistance for the West Indies. The diminutive left-hander displayed admirable grit and flair, compiling a gutsy 55 runs off 49 balls, including a scintillating drive through extra cover to bring up his fourth Test half-century.
Athanaze formed a brief yet promising 41-run partnership with debutant Tevin Imlach, who contributed 14 before falling to a sharp-turning delivery from Abrar Ahmed, caught behind.
After Imlach’s departure, Pakistan’s spinners swiftly extinguished the West Indies’ resistance. The visitors lost their last four wickets for zero runs, as Sajid and Abrar combined to dismantle the lower order.
Abrar Ahmed seals the victory
The emphatic win highlighted the brilliance of Sajid Khan, who finished with a five-wicket haul, and Abrar Ahmed, whose deceptive spin claimed four victims.
The second Test is set to commence on January 25, once again at the Multan Cricket Stadium. With Pakistan riding high on confidence, the West Indies must regroup quickly and address their batting vulnerabilities if they hope to mount a comeback.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating:
“We struggled to handle the spin, and it’s something we’ll work on ahead of the second Test. Athanaze showed fight, and we need more contributions like that throughout the order.”
