From Setbacks To Partnerships: How The West Indies Fought Back Against Pakistan
CricketPanditThe Multan Test progressed rapidly on a challenging pitch on Day 2, with Pakistan finishing at 76/4 in their pursuit of 254 runs against the West Indies. The visitors began the day with a nine-run lead, fully aware that Pakistan’s spinners could dominate on such a spin-friendly surface. Consequently, the West Indies approached their batting with an aggressive mindset, successfully building a challenging target over just more than two sessions. Pakistan lost their openers early, but Babar Azam managed to stabilize the innings, only to be dismissed less than 10 minutes before the close of play.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite led his team’s charge for quick runs, employing sweeps and reverse-sweeps against the Pakistani spinners during the morning session. He found early success, scoring a brisk half-century alongside No.3 batter Amir Jangoo, who bounced back from a golden duck in the first innings to register his first runs in the format. Brathwaite benefited from four DRS calls—two he challenged and two from Pakistan—allowing him to reach his milestone, but he couldn’t capitalize further as he fell to Noman Ali, who had taken a hat-trick in the first innings.
Debutant Jangoo followed his captain’s lead, taking calculated risks with sweeps and drives. However, one such attempt led to his dismissal, giving Sajid Khan a wicket. Eager to push forward, Pakistan lost all their reviews before lunch but managed to claim two more wickets, with Noman dismissing Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge.
The outcome of the second session was crucial in determining whether Pakistan would seize full control or if the West Indies would leave the field feeling optimistic about leveling the series. The West Indies made progress through small but vital contributions from Tevin Imlach (35), Kevin Sinclair (28), Gudakesh Motie (18), and Jomel Warrican (18). Even these four players fought back vigorously as the ball continued to spin sharply.Abrar Ahmed made an early breakthrough in the second session, dismissing Justin Greaves and leaving the West Indies at 145/6. From that moment, Imlach and Sinclair formed the most crucial partnership of the innings, extending their lead to 200.
Sajid Khan broke that partnership by taking the wicket of Sinclair, while Imlach became the next victim of pacer Kashif Ali after a solid innings of 57 balls. Motie and Warrican then added 27 more runs, frustrating Pakistan and easing the pressure on the home team. Even after this partnership ended, an injured Kemar Roach limped to the crease and faced 17 balls, contributing 11 runs alongside Warrican before the latter was dismissed, concluding the innings.
Pakistan’s chase of 254 got off to a shaky start as Sinclair and Motie trapped Shan Masood and Muhammad Hurraira leg before, reducing them to 5/2. Azam and Kamran Ghulam briefly steadied the ship, but Ghulam fell while attempting to attack Warrican.
Saud Shakeel and Azam nearly saw Pakistan through to the end of the day’s play without further loss, but Sinclair struck again. Azam hesitated on a loopy length ball that turned sharply. Ultimately, he decided to play it, only to clip it onto his front pad, which popped up for Athanaze at short leg to catch. Nightwatchman Kashif Ali faced 10 deliveries, and Pakistan ended the day still needing 178 runs to win. Meanwhile, the West Indies are just six wickets away from sharing the series.
Brief scores: Pakistan 154 & 76/4 (Babar Azam 31; Kevin Sinclair 2-41) trail West Indies 163 & 244 (Kraigg Brathwaite 52, Tevin Imlach 35, Kevin Sinclair 28; Sajid Khan 4-76, Noman Ali 4-80) by 178 runs.
