MULTAN, Pakistan – Spin maestros Noman Ali and Sajid Khan left the West Indies reeling on the second day of the first Test in Multan, propelling Pakistan to a commanding position on Saturday.
The duo shared nine wickets to bundle out the regional side for a mere 137 in response to Pakistan’s 230 all-out earlier in the day. By stumps, Pakistan had extended their lead to 202, reaching 109-3 in their second innings.
Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel were unbeaten on 9 and 2, respectively, when bad light halted play 25 minutes early.
Jomel Warrican provided a rare bright spot for the West Indies, claiming 2-17, as the Bajan left-armer dismissed opener Muhammad Hurraira for 29 and then trapped Pakistan captain Babar Azam lbw for just 5.
Warrican also effected a sharp run-out to end Shan Masood’s composed innings of 52, which featured two sixes and two fours.
The Multan pitch, dry and grassless, has been a spinner’s paradise, yielding 22 wickets in just six sessions despite weather interruptions totalling over three hours across two days.
Noman Ali (5-39) claimed his seventh five-wicket haul in Tests, while Sajid Khan (4-65) was equally lethal. The West Indies innings lasted just 25.2 overs, with both spinners proving unplayable.
Sajid struck early, dismissing Mikyle Louis (1), Keacy Carty (0), Kraigg Brathwaite (11), and Kavem Hodge (4) in a fiery opening spell. Noman continued the demolition, reducing the visitors to a dismal 66-8.
The tailenders resisted briefly, with Jomel Warrican (31 not out), Gudakesh Motie (19), and Jayden Seales (22) adding crucial runs. Seales entertained with three sixes before falling to Abrar Ahmed.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed at 143-4 but lost their last six wickets for 43 runs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a resilient 84 off 157 balls, supported by Mohammad Rizwan’s 71. The pair added a vital 141 runs for the fifth wicket, rescuing Pakistan from 46-4.
Guyanese off-spinner Kevin Sinclair sparked the collapse, dismissing Shakeel and Rizwan quickly. Rizwan, who struck nine boundaries in his 133-ball knock, was trapped leg-before on review while attempting a reverse sweep.
Warrican wrapped up Pakistan’s innings just before lunch, dismissing Sajid Khan for 18 after a brisk cameo. Warrican finished with 3-69 with Sinclair bagging two wickets for 61 runs. Jayden Seales managed to pick up three wickets for 27 runs.
SUMMARISED SCORES
PAKISTAN 230 all out in 68.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 84, Mohammad Rizwan 71, Sajid Khan 18; Jayden Seales 3-27. Jomel Warrican 3-69, Kevin Sinclair 2-61) & 109-3 (Shan Masood 52, Muhammad Hurraira 29. Jomel Warrican 2-17) vs WEST INDIES 137 all out in 25.2 overs (Jomel Warrican 31 not out, Jayden Seales 22, Gudakesh Motie 19. Noman Ali 5-39, Sajid Khan 4-65).
(CMC)
