Pakistan vs West Indies:1st Test Review

Pakistan vs West Indies 2025 First Test Match: A Complete Review

The opening Test match of the Pakistan vs West Indies 2025 series, held in Multan, delivered an exciting contest that highlighted Pakistan's mastery in home conditions. The 127-run victory for Pakistan was driven by their exceptional spin attack and key contributions from their batters. Let’s break down the match and analyze the crucial moments, standout performances, and lessons learned.

Pakistan’s First Innings: Shakeel and Rizwan to the Rescue

After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. However, their top order struggled against the West Indies’ disciplined pace attack, particularly Jayden Seales, who made early breakthroughs. At 50-3, Pakistan was in trouble, needing a partnership to stabilize their innings.

Enter Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. The pair added 141 runs for the fifth wicket, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious position. Shakeel’s composed 84 runs anchored the innings, while Rizwan contributed an aggressive 71.

Despite their partnership, the lower order collapsed under pressure from Jomel Warrican’s spin. Warrican claimed three crucial wickets, restricting Pakistan to 230 runs in their first innings.

West Indies’ First Innings: Pakistan’s Spinners Dominate

The West Indies’ response was disastrous as Pakistan’s spinners took control. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali exploited the spin-friendly conditions brilliantly, reducing the visitors to 22-4 in no time.

While most West Indies batters struggled, Alick Athanaze provided a glimmer of hope with a fighting 37. Unfortunately, he received no support from his teammates. Noman Ali claimed five wickets, while Sajid Khan took four, dismissing the West Indies for a paltry 137 runs.

This gave Pakistan a crucial 93-run first-innings lead.

Second Innings: Jomel Warrican’s Masterclass

In their second innings, Pakistan aimed to build a strong lead. Shan Masood led the effort with a solid half-century, setting a steady foundation. However, the innings took a dramatic turn as Jomel Warrican delivered one of the best spells of his career.

The left-arm spinner was unplayable, taking seven wickets and dismantling Pakistan’s lineup. His 7-56 ensured Pakistan managed only 157 runs, setting a target of 251 for the West Indies.

West Indies’ Second Innings: Spin Decimates Again

Chasing 251, the West Indies faced another spin trial by fire. Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed combined to crush their batting order, leaving no room for recovery.

Alick Athanaze was once again the standout performer, scoring a resilient 55. However, his efforts couldn’t save the visitors as the rest of the lineup fell apart. Sajid Khan claimed another five-wicket haul, while Abrar Ahmed picked up four, bowling out the West Indies for just 123 runs.

Pakistan secured a convincing 127-run victory, wrapping up the match within four days.

Key Highlights

Saud Shakeel’s Grit: His first-innings knock of 84 was instrumental in rebuilding Pakistan’s innings under pressure.

Jomel Warrican’s Magic: Warrican’s seven wickets in Pakistan’s second innings were a masterclass in spin bowling, giving his team a fighting chance.

Sajid Khan’s Dominance: Sajid took nine wickets across both innings, proving to be the match-winner for Pakistan.

Alick Athanaze’s Resistance: Despite the loss, Athanaze’s resilience with the bat was a silver lining for the West Indies.

Pakistan’s Spin Mastery

This match demonstrated Pakistan’s dominance with spin in home conditions. Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed exploited the pitch expertly, leaving the West Indies batters with no answers.

West Indies’ Spin Struggles

The visitors’ inability to handle quality spin bowling was evident throughout the match. Improving their technique and building partnerships will be essential for future games.

Room for Improvement

For Pakistan, top-order consistency remains a concern. Their struggle against the new ball could be exposed on different pitches. The West Indies, meanwhile, need to develop better plans against spin to compete effectively in similar conditions.

Conclusion

The first Test of the Pakistan vs West Indies 2025 series was a testament to Pakistan’s dominance at home. The spinners ruled the game, with Sajid Khan emerging as the hero. Despite Jomel Warrican’s brilliance and Alick Athanaze’s resilience, the West Indies fell short due to their inability to handle spin.

As the series progresses, Pakistan will look to secure the trophy, while the West Indies will hope to bounce back and adapt to the challenging conditions. Stay tuned for more updates from this thrilling series!

This thrilling Test match demonstrated Pakistan's dominance in spin-friendly conditions, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali leading the way to victory.