Pakistan’s spin attack dominates West Indies on Day 2 of the first Test in Multan

MULTAN: Pakistan’s spinners, led by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, put on an outstanding performance on the second day of the first Test against West Indies at the spin-friendly Multan Cricket Stadium. The hosts’ spin attack tore through the West Indies batting lineup, leaving the visitors struggling

No West Indian batter could make a significant impact, with tailender Jomel Warrican being the only one to offer some resistance. Warrican top-scored with a gritty 31, which included four boundaries and a six.

Earlier, the West Indies had taken control in the first session, with spinners Jomel Warrican and Kevin Sinclair leading the charge. The pair claimed five wickets between them, dismissing Pakistan for 230. Warrican finished with figures of 3-69, while Sinclair took 2-61. Pakistan had resumed the day on 143-4 but quickly lost six wickets for just 87 runs, with another 30-minute delay due to poor visibility.

Saud Shakeel (84) and Mohammad Rizwan (71) were the top scorers for Pakistan. Sinclair set the collapse in motion, dismissing Shakeel off the first ball after drinks, and Pakistan quickly lost four wickets for just 13 runs off 28 balls.

Sajid Khan, who had been contributing with the bat, was the last to go, hitting a boundary and a six in his rapid 18 before Warrican bowled him just before lunch.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales had a notable performance on Friday, finishing with 3-27, with all his wickets coming in the second innings.

Shakeel and Rizwan had started cautiously in the morning session, with the pair adding an invaluable 141 runs for the fifth wicket after Pakistan had been in a precarious position at 46-4 on day one. Shakeel’s patient knock of 84 runs from 157 balls included six boundaries.

Sinclair broke the partnership by drawing Shakeel forward on a spinning delivery, which was caught by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach. Shakeel’s dismissal marked the beginning of the collapse.

Warrican’s delivery dismissed Salman Agha for two, with the batsman playing an inside edge, while Noman Ali was run out without scoring. Sinclair then trapped Rizwan leg-before, following a successful West Indies review, as Rizwan’s 133-ball innings ended on 71, with nine boundaries.