The Multan pitch, known for being batting-friendly, took on a different character this time. Spinners dominated, disrupting the batters’ stronghold. Their brilliance led to a new chapter in cricket history, as the Pakistan-West Indies Test ended in the fewest deliveries ever played on Pakistani soil.
In the first match of the two-Test series, West Indies, chasing 251 runs in the second innings, were bowled out for just 123 runs. Pakistan secured a commanding victory by 127 runs, taking the lead in the series.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan scored 230 runs in 68.5 overs in their first innings. In reply, the West Indies were bundled out for 137 runs in just 25.2 overs. With a 93-run lead, Pakistan managed 157 runs in 46.4 overs in their second innings.
This set a target of 251 runs for the West Indies. However, they faltered against the lethal spin of Sajid Khan, who took 5 wickets in the second innings after claiming 4 in the first. Abrar also contributed with 4 wickets.
In the chase, only Alick Athanaze stood out with a fighting 55 runs off 68 balls, while the rest of the West Indies lineup failed to cross 14 runs individually.
Earlier in the day, West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican displayed brilliance, claiming 7 wickets for just 32 runs—his career-best performance. Starting the day at 110 for 3, Pakistan’s innings wrapped up after adding only 47 more runs.
Remarkably, all 20 West Indies wickets in the match were taken by Pakistan’s spinners, while West Indies spinners claimed 14 Pakistani wickets. Sajid Khan, with a total of 9 wickets, was named Player of the Match.
This game also entered the record books as the shortest Test match in terms of deliveries played on Pakistani soil, with all four innings combined lasting just 177.2 overs or 1,064 balls.
