Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed's spin mastery lead Pakistan to victory in Multan Test
Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed wreaked havoc with the ball, taking nine wickets combined for just 77 runs, helping Pakistan defend a 251-run target and secure a 1-0 lead over the West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Similar to their first innings collapse (137 all out in 25.2 overs), the West Indies were bowled out for 123 in 36.3 overs in their second innings, falling 128 runs short of the target. Alick Athanaze, the No. 5 batter, was the only one to manage a substantial score, collecting 55 runs off 68 balls with seven fours.
Sajid, who reached the milestone of 50 Test wickets during the second innings, finished with figures of 15-3-50-5, bringing his match tally to nine wickets. Abrar chipped in with 4-27 in 11.3 overs, while Sajid achieved his fourth Test five-for.
The West Indies lost their first four wickets to Sajid, reducing them to 37-4 in 12.5 overs. Athanaze showed resilience with a 41-run sixth-wicket stand alongside Tevin Imlach (14 off 30 balls, 1 four) and a resisting 62-ball 28-run stand with Kevin Sinclair for the seventh wicket.
Following Imlach's departure at 95, the West Indies could only add 28 more runs for the last four wickets. Nauman Ali, who had dismissed five batters in the first innings, picked up one wicket in the second outing.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed from their overnight score of 109-3 and were bundled out for 157 in 46.4 overs. Jomel Warrican finished with figures of 7-32 in 18 overs and a match tally of 10 wickets for the West Indies.
Scores in brief (Day 3 of 5):
1st Test – Pakistan beat West Indies by 127 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Pakistan: 230 all out, 68.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 84, Mohammad Rizwan 71; Jayden Seales 3-27, Jomel Warrican 3-69, Kevin Sinclair 2-61, Gudakesh Motie 1-48) and 157 all out, 46.4 overs (Shan Masood 52, Mohammad Huraira 29, Kamran Ghulam 27; Jomel Warrican 7-32)
West Indies: 137 all out, 25.2 overs (Jomel Warrican 31 not out, Jayden Seales 22, Gudakesh Motie 19; Nauman Ali 5-39, Sajid Khan 4-65) and 123 all out, 36.3 overs (Alick Athanaze 55; Sajid Khan 5-50, Abrar Ahmed 4-27)
Player of the Match: Sajid Khan (Pakistan)