A dramatic opening day of the 2nd Test between Pakistan and West Indies in Multan on Saturday saw 20 wickets falling, as both the sides were bowled out in their respective first innings, leaving the hosts trailing by nine runs.
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Out of the 20 wickets that fell in the day, 16 were taken by spinners, which is the most by that type of bowling on the opening day of a Test. The previous record was of 14 wickets during the 1907 Leeds Test between England and South Africa.
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Spinners dominated the day from start to stumps, led by Pakistan left-armer Noman Ali‘s 6 for 41, which included a historic hat-trick. It helped Pakistan bowl the visitors out for 163.
It was then the turn of West Indies spinners, as Jomel Warrican claimed 4 for 43 and Gudakesh Moti took 3 for 49 to dismiss Pakistan for 154 before close of play.
Pakistan’s batting struggled as only Mohammad Rizwan (49) and Saud Shakeel (32) showed resilience, forming a 68-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The team’s collapse from 119 for 4 to 154 all out saw them lose six wickets while adding just 35 runs.
The opening pair of Muhammad Hurraira (9) and Shan Masood (15) fell to Kemar Roach’s pace bowling, while Motie claimed the wickets of Babar Azam (1) and Kamran Ghulam (16), reducing Pakistan to 51 for 4.
After tea, Warrican secured two crucial wickets: Shakeel, caught brilliantly by an injured Roach in the deep, and Rizwan, who was stumped.
The innings concluded with Motie dismissing Salman Agha for nine, while Kashif Ali was run out for notched.
The West Indies found themselves in dire straits at 38 for 7, as Sajid Khan 2 for 64 and Noman wreaked havoc with the ball.
The situation could have been more precarious for the visiting team, but Motie’s career-best 55 and his crucial 68-run partnership for the final wicket with Warrican, who remained unbeaten on 36 with two sixes, provided some resistance.
Before lunch, Motie and Roach (25) contributed a valuable 41-run stand for the ninth wicket. Subsequently, Noman claimed the final two wickets, securing his eighth five-wicket haul in an innings.
Following their 127-run victory in the first Test at Multan, Pakistan continued with their spin-focused strategy, with the pitch offering turn from the opening over.
