Pakistan’s hopes of gaining a lead on the second day of the second and final Test against the West Indies were dashed as they were bundled out for just 154 at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After dominating the visitors with a brilliant spin attack led by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, Pakistan’s batting failed to rise to the occasion. Only five batsmen managed to reach double digits, with Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 49 and Saud Shakeel contributing 32. Both Rizwan and Shakeel were dismissed by West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican, who claimed four wickets in a sensational spell.
Warrican’s efforts, supported by Gudakesh Motie, who took three wickets, and Kemar Roach, who claimed two, saw Pakistan fall short of the West Indies’ first innings total by just nine runs. The home side’s collapse left them trailing the visitors, who had posted 163 runs on day one.
Earlier, Pakistan’s spinners had taken charge, reducing the West Indies to 163 all out. Noman Ali was the standout bowler, taking six wickets for just 41 runs. Sajid Khan supported with 2 for 64, while Kashif Ali and Abrar Ahmed also chipped in, taking one wicket each for 16 and 24 runs, respectively.
While the top order of the West Indies struggled, their tailenders proved to be the most resilient. Gudakesh Motie made a crucial 55*, Jomel Warrican added 36*, and Kemar Roach contributed a valuable 25. Kavem Hodge was the only other batsman to reach double figures, making 21.
The day had begun with the West Indies opting to bat first on a spin-friendly pitch, where Pakistan had triumphed in the previous Test thanks to their spinners’ dominance. Seven West Indies players, including skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, failed to reach double digits as they were undone by the Pakistani spinners.
Noman Ali also achieved a remarkable hat-trick in the 12th over of the day, dismissing Justin Greaves (1), Tevin Imlach (0), and Kevin Sinclair (0) in quick succession.
Pakistan, who lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test by 127 runs, handed a debut to 30-year-old fast bowler Kashif Ali, who replaced Khurram Shahzad. The West Indies made two changes, bringing in experienced pacer Kemar Roach for the injured Jayden Seales and debutant Amir Jangoo, who replaced Keacy Carty.
The series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle, with Pakistan ranked eighth and the West Indies sitting at ninth.
Speaking before the match, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed his team’s determination to bounce back in the second Test and level the series. Brathwaite emphasized the need for resilience and confidence despite the challenges of playing on spin-friendly pitches, and vowed his team would aim for a much bigger total in the second innings.
