Multan witnessed an exhilarating Test match as the West Indies pushed Pakistan to the brink, aiming to end their long-standing winless streak on Pakistani soil dating back to 1990. After stumps on day two of the second Test, the visiting team put themselves in a strong position, requiring just six more wickets to level the series 1-1 after losing the first Test by 127 runs.
Kevin Sinclair emerged as the standout performer for the West Indies, claiming two pivotal wickets, including the scalps of Pakistan's captain Shan Masood and star batsman Babar Azam. At the close of day two, Pakistan found themselves at 76 for 4, needing 178 runs to secure victory from their current position.
On the second day, the West Indies batted first and managed to score 244 runs, setting Pakistan with a challenging target of 254 runs. Their innings featured contributions from skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored 52 runs, and important runs from Sinclair and Tevin Imlach, who added 28 and 35 runs respectively. The West Indies showed resilience, especially with their final four wickets adding 99 runs to the total.
The spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan created havoc for the West Indies batters, taking four wickets each as Pakistan sought to build pressure on the visitors. The track at Multan served the spinners well throughout the match, underscoring the need for patience from batters on both sides.
Sinclair’s celebration following his dismissal of Masood—performing his signature cartwheel—was one of the highlights of the day. The West Indies' spinner opened the floodgates for his team when he trapped Masood leg before wicket for just two runs. Later, he claimed the prized wicket of Babar Azam, dismissing him for 31 runs.
After the day's play, the atmosphere was tense. Sinclair stated, "Our captain set the stage and infused confidence in the batters to follow. We have the confidence to pull off this victory, which would be big win under challenging conditions." His enthusiasm was matched by fellow spinner Jomel Warrican, who emphasized team spirit contributing to their strong position.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's hopes rested largely on Saud Shakeel, who was still at the crease at stumps with 13 runs, and nightwatchman Kashif Ali, who entered with just one run. The onus was on them to lead the revival on day three against relentless West Indies bowling.
Despite the recent setbacks, Pakistan remained optimistic. Spinner Sajid Khan reflected, "There is nothing impossible in this game. Shakeel has batted well on such pitches, and we have other batters also, so if we have belief, then we can score the required runs.” This perspective underscored the competition's previously established dynamics, with the first Test showing Pakistan’s strength.
Day three promised to be decisive as both teams aimed for victory. The West Indies were determined to secure their first Test win on Pakistani soil since their last victory in November 1990. Their performance set the stage for what could be remembered as both historical and exhilarating.
The match drew considerable attention as it highlighted the development of cricketing skills and mentorship within the West Indies team. Encouraged by their captain’s leadership and the contributions from all players, this Test saw the team fighting for their cricketing heritage.
With both Noman Ali and Sajid Khan finishing with impressive figures of four wickets each across the innings, the expectation was high for day three. For the West Indies, their bowling strength was expected to put additional pressure on Pakistan, who couldn’t afford to lose more wickets early on as they continued their chase.
The day had already been dramatic, with 14 wickets falling—testing the nerve of all players involved. Neither team had dominated the other; the match remained tantalizingly poised, with both sides showcasing the extreme competitiveness expected at this level of international cricket.
Looking forward, the West Indies would aim to capitalize on their momentum and seize the opportunity to end their long wait for success on Pakistani soil. Cricket fans remained hooked, eagerly anticipating the developments of the final day of what had become an unforgettable Test series.