Pakistan Crushes West Indies in Record-Breaking Shortest Test on Home Soil

Grassroots Cricket|

Pakistan secured a decisive victory over the West Indies in the first Test of the series, held in Multan. The match, which concluded on January 19, has gone down in history as the shortest decided men’s Test played on Pakistani soil, wrapping up in just 1,064 balls.

The game ended by the second session of Day 3, showcasing a whirlwind performance by the Pakistani spin trio of Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed. The three spinners shared all 20 West Indies wickets, dismissing them for scores of 137 and 123, and securing Pakistan a convincing 127-run win.

At 1,064 balls, this Test eclipsed the previous shortest decided Test match in Pakistan, a record set during the Faisalabad Test of 1990-91, also between these two sides. That game lasted 1,080 balls, with the West Indies defeating Pakistan by seven wickets.

The West Indies’ batting woes were highlighted. They faced a mere 371 balls across both innings. It was their lowest in any Test match where they were dismissed in both innings.

For Pakistan, this was the fewest balls needed to dismiss an opponent in a Test, breaking their previous record of 494 balls against Bangladesh in the 2001 Multan Test.

The West Indies had no answers to Pakistan’s spin mastery, folding in just 36.3 overs in their second innings. Sajid Khan led the charge with a brilliant nine-wicket haul across both innings. Noman Ali, claimed six wickets, dismantling the middle order and maintaining pressure throughout. Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed showcased his immense potential, picking up five wickets with his unorthodox leg-spin. Together, the trio accounted for all 20 wickets, demonstrating the dominance of spin on the Multan pitch.

On the West Indies side, Jomel Warrican delivered an exceptional performance despite the loss. His 7/32 in Pakistan’s second innings marked the third-best figures by a visiting bowler in Pakistan, surpassing legends Malcolm Marshall (5/33, Lahore, 1986) and Andy Roberts (5/62, Karachi, 1975). Warrican finished the match with 10 wickets, becoming the first West Indian to achieve a 10-wicket haul in Pakistan. He broke Roberts’ previous best of 9/187, set in 1975.

With this win, Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead in the series, showcasing their dominance on home soil following the test series win against England in 2024.

Since their loss to England in October on a flat deck, Pakistan has shifted their approach to preparing spin-friendly surfaces, ensuring spin becomes the primary threat. This strategy has paid off, with spinners like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali consistently taking all 20 wickets in the last three matches, resulting in convincing victories. Remarkably, no wickets have fallen to seam bowlers in this period.

Captain Shan Masood acknowledged the change, emphasizing their focus on winning and praising the bowlers’ relentless efforts. “We will do what we need to take 20 wickets and win the match.”

 

Scores in Brief:

Pakistan: 230 & 157

West Indies: 137 & 123

Pakistan won by 127 runs