West Indies has made cricket history by securing their first Test win on Pakistan soil since 1990, defeating the host team by 120 runs during the second Test held at Multan. This remarkable comeback followed the team's early collapse at 38 for 7 on the first day, showcasing both resilience and skill.
The match, which took place from January 25 to January 28, 2025, saw West Indies level the series, leaving fans buzzing with excitement. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite hailed the young group's achievement, stating, “We haven’t played in Pakistan for a number of years, but we haven’t won here in a long time, so to come here and do it as a young group is incredible.” His leadership was evident as he encouraged his teammates to stay brave against Pakistan's challenging spin attack.
Brathwaite himself experienced the weight of pressure on the pitch. After his side struggled with the bat, he exhibited an aggressive approach during the second innings to amass his fastest fifty ever. The strategy proved fruitful, allowing West Indies to set up a formidable lead of 254 runs, which would later be more than enough to clinch the win. “Both Test matches, the pitch was tough to bat on and we knew it, so I just wanted us to be brave to execute our plans,” Brathwaite explained post-match.
For West Indies, Jomel Warrican was nothing short of sensational. His all-around performance helped make the difference. Warrican took five wickets for 27 runs and impressed with the bat as well, scoring 36 runs and sharing a pivotal last-wicket partnership with Gudakesh Motie. His match figures reflected total dominance: 9 wickets for 70 runs overall, leaving him as the series' leading wicket-taker. “Jomel was outstanding,” praised Brathwaite, highlighting how Warrican applied consistent pressure on the batters and delivered when it mattered most.
Warrican's bowling tactics and ability to read the game enabled him to capitalize on mistakes from Pakistan's batters. He described his mindset, saying, “I back my game plan; once the ball is in my zone, I back myself to clear the boundary. I trust my defense as well.” His commitment to executing precise lengths made it difficult for the opposition and yielded rebounds both with the bat and ball.
On the other hand, the Pakistan team faced disappointment as they faltered on their home ground. Following their own struggles, Shan Masood commented on the need for the team to reflect and learn from this experience. “Yes, they batted well, but we have to learn too,” he remarked, emphasizing the lessons his team could draw from allowing the lower order to score runs.
The match statistics provided by Sampath Bandarupalli revealed alarming records for Pakistan: they had accumulated only 154 runs and 133 runs across the two innings combined—the third-lowest total for them at home when bowled out twice. This performance stood starkly compared to what Pakistan usually produces at home, raising questions about the strategy surrounding wicket preparation.
Indeed, the pitch at Multan played its part. Both teams entered the match knowing they would face the challenges posed by spin-friendly conditions, rough patches, and the need for batsmen to adapt quickly. The match showcased exceptional spin bowling, with 69 wickets downed over the series, setting both teams to engage with the unique demands of the wicket. West Indies proved more adept at handling these challenges, as their spinners outshone Pakistan’s attack comprehensively.
This victory is monumental, marking West Indies’ only their fifth Test win against Pakistan on their home territory. It is significant for both the morale of the team and the resurgence of West Indies cricket. Speaking afterwards, Brathwaite encapsulated this sentiment: “It's right up there with some amazing Test wins because coming here, playing here in Pakistan, it’s never easy to win a test match.”
To top it off, this victory bodes well for the team as they move forward. The performance witnessed here acts as proof to both players and fans of the potential within the West Indies setup. Together with their recent displays, fans can cautiously be optimistic about the direction this cricketing team is heading.