MULTAN, Pakistan – On a foggy opening day at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the pendulum swung dramatically in the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies.
The visitors, led by a sensational new-ball display from Jayden Seales, rattled Pakistan’s top order early, reducing them to a perilous 46 for four. However, a dogged partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the ship, guiding the hosts to a more respectable 143 for four at stumps.
Seales sets the stage
After dense morning fog delayed play, the afternoon session began with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite made a historic decision, opening the bowling with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, marking the first time a West Indian spinner had done so in the first innings of a Test match.
Despite Motie’s early breakthrough, the star of the day was Seales. The young fast bowler dismantled Pakistan’s top order with precision and pace. His first victim, Muhammad Hurraira, edged a beauty to debutant wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach, leaving the score at 16 for one.
Moments later, Motie struck as Shan Masood nicked one to Imlach, further sinking the hosts to 20 for two. Seales returned with fire in his belly, trapping Kamran Ghulam lbw with a delivery that jagged back sharply before claiming the prized scalp of Babar Azam, whose edge found safe hands behind the stumps. At 46 for four, Pakistan were in deep trouble.
A gritty response
With the match slipping away, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan mounted a spirited recovery. Their contrasting styles—Shakeel’s patient defiance and Rizwan’s calculated aggression—kept the West Indian bowlers at bay.
Shakeel, unbeaten on 56, displayed remarkable composure, reaching his ninth Test fifty with a deft cut off Kevin Sinclair. Rizwan, meanwhile, showcased flair and intent, racing to his 10th Test half-century in just 76 balls. His boundaries off Jomel Warrican and Sinclair injected momentum into Pakistan’s innings.
The pair’s unbroken 97-run partnership ensured there were no further setbacks, steering Pakistan to tea at 86 for four and to stumps at 143 for four as bad light curtailed the day’s play.
A balanced battle
Reflecting on the day’s action, Seales emphasized the team effort required to capitalize on their early success. “We executed our plans well with the new ball,” he said, “but tomorrow is another day. The spinners will likely play a bigger role as the game progresses.”
As both teams prepare for Day Two, the Test hangs tantalizingly in the balance. Pakistan will look to build on Shakeel and Rizwan’s foundation, while the West Indies will aim to rekindle their fiery start and seize control.
