In a commanding performance, Pakistan defeated the West Indies by a significant margin in the first Test at Multan. Sajid Khan emerged as the match’s standout performer, claiming nine wickets across both innings and earning the Man of the Match title for his phenomenal display. His iconic thigh-slap celebration resonated throughout the stadium as teammates joined in to celebrate his heroics.
Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test captain, extended his winning streak at home to three matches, continuing to cement his leadership capabilities. From his challenging early days as skipper to this dominant home record, Masood’s growth is evident.
The West Indies, however, will be rueing missed opportunities. On Day 1, they had Pakistan in trouble at 46 for 4. But the resilience of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel rescued the hosts with crucial partnerships on a wicket offering sharp turn from the onset. Their efforts helped Pakistan post a competitive total.
Sajid Khan, alongside Noman Ali, exploited the turning track to dismantle the West Indian batting order. While Noman claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, Sajid wreaked havoc in the second, removing the top four batters in both innings.
Pakistan’s batting lineup faced its own challenges in the second innings. After a solid start, a dramatic collapse saw them crumble from 109 for 3 to 157 all out, thanks to Jomel Warrican’s brilliant seven-wicket haul and his involvement in two run-outs. This left the West Indies needing 250 runs to win, a daunting task on a deteriorating surface.
Once again, the visitors faltered against Pakistan’s spin duo, with Sajid and Abrar Ahmed combining for nine wickets in the final innings. Alick Athanaze’s fighting half-century provided a glimmer of hope for the West Indies, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to withstand the pressure.
Sajid credited his success to the team staff and his bowling partner Noman Ali, acknowledging the importance of patience and strategy on a turning wicket. Shan Masood emphasized the need for improvement despite the victory, while Kraigg Brathwaite urged his team to adopt a braver mindset for the next game.
With the second Test also set in Multan, West Indies must address their weaknesses against spin to stand a chance on another challenging pitch.