West Indies spinners shine as Pakistan is bowled out for 154 on Day one of second Test

For the first time in 91 years of Test cricket history in the subcontinent, a remarkable 20 wickets fell on the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan on January 25, 2025. Both teams were bowled out, with West Indies finishing with 163 and Pakistan replying with 154, leaving the match finely poised.

The standout moment of the day came from Pakistan’s Noman Ali, who made history with a hat-trick in the first session. Noman became the second-oldest player to take a Test hat-trick at 38 years and 110 days, following in the footsteps of Rangana Herath, who was 38 years and 139 days old when he achieved the feat against Australia in Galle in 2016. Additionally, Noman became the first player since Irfan Pathan in 2006 to take a hat-trick in the first session of a Test match.

Pakistan's spin-friendly pitch, promised by head coach Aaqib Javed, proved to be a challenging surface for both teams. West Indies, having won the toss and chosen to bat, found themselves in early trouble. They lost Mikyle Louis in the second over and debutant Amir Jangoo was dismissed shortly after. By the time Noman took his hat-trick, West Indies were in deep trouble at 54 for 8.

Noman’s hat-trick, which included a beauty that trapped Kevin Sinclair in front, was the highlight of Pakistan’s morning session. Despite being on the brink of a complete collapse, the lower order of West Indies fought back. A gritty 68-run partnership between Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie brought them to 163, their highest total of the series, before Noman struck again to end the innings.

Pakistan’s response was equally challenging. Kemar Roach and Motie wreaked havoc with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 32 for 3 in no time. Roach’s early wickets of Mohammad Hurraira and Babar Azam, along with Motie’s dismissal of Shan Masood, put Pakistan under pressure.

However, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan dug in, with Rizwan playing a counter-attacking knock to keep the score ticking. But the partnership was broken when Shakeel mistimed a shot off Warrican, and Rizwan followed soon after with a brilliant delivery from the same bowler.

Pakistan's lower order collapsed quickly, losing their last six wickets for just 35 runs. A mix-up between Sajid Khan and Kashif Ali led to a run-out, and West Indies wrapped up the innings without much difficulty.

At the end of Day 1, West Indies hold a narrow advantage, leading Pakistan by just nine runs. The game remains in the balance, with the pitch continuing to offer assistance to the spinners.

Teams:

Pakistan Playing XI: Shan Masood (c), Mohammad Huraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Kashif Ali, Abrar Ahmed.  

West Indies Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Amir Jangoo, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wK), Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican