Warrican and Motie Rattle Pakistan’s Batting In Second Test

MULTAN: A superb bowling performance from Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie left Pakistan in tatters on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies, with the visitors trailing by just nine runs.

Chasing West Indies’ modest total of 163 runs, Pakistan’s batting lineup was dismantled for just 154 runs, leaving them in a vulnerable position.

The day began on a positive note for Pakistan, but their momentum was quickly halted by the West Indian bowlers.

Pakistan’s young opener, Mohammad Hurraira, was dismissed by returning pacer Kemar Roach for just nine runs, leaving the score at 22/1 after 5.5 overs.

The situation worsened soon after as left-arm spinner Motie struck in the seventh over, sending Babar Azam back for just one run, leaving Pakistan under pressure at 22/2.

The innings continued to unravel as Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, was dismissed for 15 runs in the very next over by Roach. By 7.3 overs, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 25/3.

Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel tried to steady the ship with a 26-run partnership. However, Motie returned to claim the wicket of Ghulam for 16 runs, leaving Pakistan at 51/4 by the 17th over.

By tea, Pakistan had managed to reach 70/4 in 22 overs, still trailing the West Indies by 93 runs. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were at the crease, with hopes of rebuilding the innings.

After the break, Pakistan’s collapse continued as Warrican removed Shakeel for 32 in the 35th over. Just five overs later, Rizwan, who had fought hard for his 49 runs, fell to Warrican as well, leaving Pakistan at 130/6 in 40.3 overs.

Warrican’s relentless spell continued as he claimed his third wicket in the same over, dismissing Noman Ali for a duck and further increasing the pressure on Pakistan at 130/7.

Motie soon joined the party, picking up his third wicket by removing Salman Ali Agha for just three runs. Pakistan was now at 146/8 in 43.5 overs.

Warrican struck again, claiming his fourth wicket by dismissing Abrar Ahmed for just two runs, leaving Pakistan still trailing by nine runs.

The final blow came when Kashif Ali was run out, reducing Pakistan to 154 all out in 47 overs.

Jomel Warrican topped the wickets tally with four wickets, followed by Gudakesh Motie with three and Kemar Roach with two wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan’s spinners put on a remarkable display in the ongoing Test, as the visitors were bowled out for just 163 runs in their first innings.

Noman Ali was the standout performer, claiming a stunning six-wicket haul.

The day began with debutant Kashif Ali making an early breakthrough, dismissing Mikyle Louis for just four runs, leaving the West Indies at 8/1.

The spinners, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, took charge from there. Sajid’s two quick wickets reduced the West Indies to 8/2 and 32/4.

Noman, however, took the spotlight by claiming a sensational hat-trick. His dismissal of Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair in consecutive balls sent the West Indies crashing to 38/7.

This hat-trick made Noman Ali the first-ever Pakistani spinner to achieve such a feat in Test cricket.

While Kemar Roach and Gudakesh Motie fought hard with a 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket, it was Noman’s fifth wicket, removing Roach, that sealed the West Indies’ fate.

Despite a resilient 68-run stand for the last wicket, the West Indies were ultimately bowled out, with Noman finishing with six wickets, Sajid taking two and Kashif and Abrar claiming one each.

PLAYING XIs

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

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