Pakistan face spin test as WI eye series-levelling win

Published January 27, 2025
West Indies wicket-keeper Tevin Imlach appeals for lbw against Pakistan captain Shan Masood during the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.—APP
West Indies wicket-keeper Tevin Imlach appeals for lbw against Pakistan captain Shan Masood during the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.—APP

MULTAN: Kevin Sinclair led a West Indian spin trio to give the tourists a sniff of a series-levelling win in the second Test Sunday with Pakistan on the ropes at 76-4 after day two here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite hit a half-century as the West Indies scored 244 in their second innings to set the hosts a daunting 254-run target on a spinning pitch.

At stumps Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 13 and nightwatchman Kashif Ali on one. The West Indies need only six more wickets to draw the series 1-1.

Pakistan need 178 runs for victory. They won the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.

Sinclair (2-41) opened the floodgates by trapping Pakistan skipper Shan Masood leg before for two and then had the prized wicket of Babar Azam caught for a dour 31.

Babar had added 43 with Kamran Ghulam, who was dropped twice, on two and six, but the lapses did not prove costly to the West Indies.

Gudakesh Motie had Mohammad Hurraira for two and Jomel Warr­ican dismissed Kamran for 19.

The day saw 14 wickets fall, after 20 on day one.

“Our captain set the stage and infused confidence in the batters to follow,” Warrican said of Brathwaite.

“We have the confidence to pull off this victory, which would be a big win in these challenging conditions.”

Insisting that they were in a commanding position and fully focused on finishing strong, West Indies batter Tevin Imlach expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure victory in the second Test.

Speaking at a press conference after the second day’s play, Imlach outlined his team’s strategy and praised their adaptability to challenging conditions.

“We are in a good position and determined to win this Test match,” a confident-looking Imlach said.

He acknowledged the challenging nature of the Multan pitch but highlighted how the touring team’s preparation and patience had paid off.

“This pitch has been difficult, but we trusted our defence and chose the right moments to attack. Playing three innings here gave us the opportunity to learn, and that learning has helped us handle the conditions better,” he explained.

Imlach also emphasized the team’s intent to wrap up Pakistan’s innings swiftly on Monday.

“Our priority is to take the remaining six wickets as quickly as possible. This pitch is very different from what we were used to back home. There is no grass, and the ball spins more here, but we have adjusted well and feel confident in our bowling attack to finish the job.”

On the other hand, the Shan-led team still believe they can come back and win the series.

“There is nothing impossible in this game,” off-spinner Sajid Khan told reporters after the play ended.

“Saud has batted well on such pitches and then we have other batters also, so if we have that belief then we can score the required runs,” he said while expressing his faith in Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, who were yet to bat.

Sajid delved into the complexities of the Multan pitch, acknowledging its dual nature.

“It is a tough wicket to bat on early, especially with the new ball, but as the ball gets older after 20-25 overs, batting becomes relatively easier. The turn reduces, and runs can be scored,” he said.

Commenting on Babar’s untimely dismissal, Sajid defended the former captain and team-mate, calling it a moment of bad luck.

“Babar is a world-class player and has consistently delivered for the team. It was unfortunate, but we move forward as a unit,” the spinner said.

In the morning opener Brath­waite led the fight for the visitors with a gritty 52.

The last four wickets added an invaluable 99 runs before the tourists were dismissed for 244 in their second innings at tea.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali finished with 4-80 — 10 wickets in the match — while partner Sajid took 4-76, six in the match.

The West Indies were 129-5 at lunch when Noman dismissed Alick Athanaze for six, before the visitors put up a fight that could prove decisive.

Imlach scored 35 and Sinclair 28 to boost their team’s lead during a stubborn stand of 51 for the seventh wicket, before Sajid accounted for Sinclair and Motie for 18.

Pacer Kashif had Imlach but the last pair of Warrican and Kemar Ro­a­ch took the total past 240, bef­ore Sajid had Warrican caught for 18.

Earlier, Brathwaite led the way with two sixes and four boundaries in his 31st Test half-century.

Noman broke a solid 50-run opening stand by dismissing Mikyle Louis for seven after the tourists started their second innings in the morning.

Brathwaite overturned two leg-before decisions against him before he was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman.

Debutant Amir Jangoo also batted well for his 30 with three boundaries, before Sajid had him caught in the slips by Salman Ali Agha.

Kavem Hodge was stumped by Rizwan off Noman for 15 as the West Indies slumped from 92-1 to 129-5.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 163 (G. Motie 55, J. Warrican 36 not out; Noman Ali 6-41, Sajid Khan 2-64)

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 154 (Mohammad Rizwan 49, Saud Shakeel 32; J. Warrican 4-43, G. Motie 3-49)

WEST INDIES (2nd Innings):

K. Brathwaite st Rizwan b Noman 52

M. Louis c Shan b Noman 7

A. Jangoo c Salman b Sajid 30

K. Hodge st Rizwan b Noman 15

A. Athanaze lbw Noman 6

J. Greaves c Sajid b Abrar 10

T. Imlach lbw Kashif 35

K. Sinclair b Sajid 28

G. Motie lbw Sajid 18

J. Warrican c Babar b Sajid 18

K. Roach not out 4

EXTRAS (B-12, LB-8, NB-1) 21

TOTAL (all out, 66.1 overs) 244

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-50 (Louis), 2-92 (Brathwaite), 3-106 (Jangoo), 4-124 (Hodge), 5-129 (Athanaze), 6-145 (Greaves), 7-196 (Sinclair), 8-206 (Imlach), 9-233 (Motie),

BOWLING: Sajid 24.1-4-76-4; Kashif 6-2-23-1 (1nb); Noman 21-0-80-4; Abrar 15-1-45-1

PAKISTAN (2nd Innings):

Shan Masood lbw Sinclair 2

Mohammad Huraira lbw Motie 2

Babar Azam c Athanaze b Sinclair 31

Kamran Ghulam c Jangoo b Warrican 19

Saud Shakeel not out 13

Kashif Ali not out 1

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-3, NB-1) 8

TOTAL (for four wickets, 24 overs) 76

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-3 (Shan), 2-5 (Hurraira), 3-48 (Kamran), 4-71 (Babar)

STILL TO BAT: Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed

BOWLING: Motie 7-1-25-1; Sinclair 11-0-41-2 (1nb); Warrican 6-4-3-1

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025

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