Multan, January 18, 2025 – Pakistan is in a commanding position at the close of Day 2 of the first Test against the West Indies, leading by 202 runs with 7 wickets still intact in their second innings.
The match is firmly in Pakistan’s control, and they will aim to push their lead past the 300-run mark, a daunting target that will put significant pressure on the West Indies. With 7 wickets in hand, Pakistan is looking to build a substantial lead, making it increasingly difficult for the West Indies to mount a successful chase on this wicket.
As the match progresses into Day 3, the West Indies face an uphill battle. They will need to strike quickly and take wickets to have any chance of getting back into the game. A challenging day of cricket lies ahead, and the match is expected to be filled with excitement and drama.
Pakistan started the day in brilliant fashion with the bat. Imran Masood played with great intent, scoring a rapid half-century, setting the tone for the day. The opening partnership between Masood and Abdullah Shafique flourished with a 67-run stand before Pakistan suffered a brief collapse, losing three quick wickets. However, Ghulam Ali and Shan Masood steadied the ship, ensuring no further wickets fell by the close of play, leaving Pakistan in a strong position going into Day 3.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan’s spinners were the stars, wreaking havoc in the West Indian batting line-up and giving Pakistan a solid lead of over 90 runs. Had it not been for a resilient tail-end performance from the West Indies, Pakistan could have gained an even larger advantage. The Sajid Khan-Noman Ali duo played a pivotal role, claiming 9 wickets between them to put Pakistan in the driver’s seat.
As the day came to a close, the light-meter came into play, and the umpires decided the conditions were unsuitable for play. With the players walking off the field, the day’s play officially concluded, leaving Pakistan in a dominant position and firmly on track to extend their lead further. Day 3 promises to be a critical one, with the West Indies needing a remarkable effort to stay in the game.