NEW DELHI: Pakistan registered a 127-run win against West Indies on the third day of the first Test in Multan on Sunday with their spinners taking all the wickets in Windies’ second innings.
West Indies were dismissed for 123, falling well short of their victory target of 251 as spinners Sajid Khan took 5-50 for match figures of 9-115 and Abrar Ahmed snared 4-27.
Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram took to X to hail the victory and posted: “Wonderful to see a clinical and convincing Pakistan win in Multan. It is good to see them use home conditions to the hilt. If this is the winning formula then it’s working. I am sure this win will give enormous confidence to not only the team but to the legion of fans and to the whole nation. Savour the win!”
Pakistan registered their third straight win at home since they started to make conditions extremely spin-friendly.
The first Test ended in around two and a half days, although cloudy weather caused nearly half of the first day to be lost.
The ground staff made batsmen’s lives extremely difficult by dishing up a raging turner despite the bitter weather in Multan.
Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan‘s 141-run partnership in the first innings was likely the difference in the end under these circumstances.
Pakistan’s constant spin threat from both ends was also absent from the West Indies.
Jomel Warrican’s control was excellent, particularly in the second innings, but the other two Windies spinners were unable to consistently land the ball in the appropriate places.
Multan will also host the second and final Test starting on Saturday.
