News Flash
MULTAN, Pakistan, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Spinner Jomel Warrican took five
wickets as the West Indies won a Test match in Pakistan Monday for the first
time in nearly 35 years.
The West Indies won the second Test in Multan by 120 runs on day three to
draw the series 1-1.
Pakistan triumphed in the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.
Warrican finished with nine wickets in the match -- 19 in the series -- to
give the hosts a taste of their own medicine on sharply spinning pitches.
The last time the West Indies won a Test in Pakistan was in Faisalabad in
November 1990, having gone winless on their 1997 and 2006 tours.
"We haven't played in Pakistan for a number of years, but we haven't won here
in a while, so to come here and do it as a young group is incredible," said
West Indian skipper Kraigg Brathwaite.
He praised the performance of star player Warrican, who scored 36 not out in
the West Indies' first innings of 163 and took both the man of the match and
player of the series awards.
"Apart from his excellent bowling, he always says he's one of the best
players of offspin in the Caribbean, so it's good to see him get some runs
along with wickets."
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood defended his side's spin ploy.
"On the first day we were in the position we wanted -- even better, maybe,
when we had them eight down," he said.
Resuming on 76-4 and chasing 254, Pakistan's hopes of victory rested on Saud
Shakeel, but Kevin Sinclair had the left-hander caught in the slips for 13 to
further dent the home team's fading chances.
Babar Azam top-scored with 31 while Mohammad Rizwan made 25 as Pakistan were
bundled out for 133.
Warrican bowled nightwatchman Kashif Ali with a straighter ball for one,
leaving Pakistan in tatters at 76-6.
Rizwan added 39 for the seventh wicket with Salman Ali Agha before Warrican
dismissed the latter leg before for 15 and then bowled Rizwan to bring the
tourists within two wickets of victory.
Gudakesh Motie, who took 2-35, removed Noman Ali for six while Warrican
deservedly took the last wicket, bowling Sajid Khan for seven to seal the
victory.
The defeat sent Pakistan crashing to ninth and last in the World Test
Championship table, while the West Indies finished eighth.
Title-holders Australia face South Africa in the WTC final at Lord's in June.