Pakistan remain on top despite Warrican’s 7-wicket haul

Jomel Warrican single-handedly wiped out Pakistan’s overnight advantage with a seven-wicket haul – and a run-out to boot – in the second innings, sparking a stunning 6 for 48 collapse on the third morning in Multan. Pakistan folded for 157 and set the visitors a target of 251 before Sajid Khan brought them roaring back into the contest with four quick wickets. At lunch, the West Indies need another 197, with the hosts five wickets away from a 1-0 series lead.

Despite a foggy morning, play began as planned for the first time in three days of this game and Warrican made an immediate impact. Pakistan’s top scorer in the first innings, Saud Shakeel flicked a straight to short mid-wicket first ball of the day to depart without adding anything to the night’s tally. Warrican then had Mohammad Rizwan caught in the slips with a ripper that spun sharply to take the edge. Kamran Ghulam was similarly undone by one who sharply turned away and gave Warrican his fifer.

Noman Ali was beaten on the reverse sweep and the umpire was quick to raise his finger. Like in the first innings, Sajid Khan was on the attack straight away with a first-ball boundary. West Indies burned a review off him early, but the fireworks were not meant to be this time as Warrican had him caught at backward point for just five.

The spinner then caught Khurram Shahzad with a precise direct hit to reduce Pakistan to 154 for 9 with a hand in each of those dismissals till that point. The only escapee was Salman Ali Agha who perished in his attempt to fetch some quick runs from Gudakesh Motie just as Pakistan’s lead reached 250.

Similar to the first innings, Sajid Khan then ripped through the West Indies to push Pakistan ahead once again in the see-saw contest. After a positive start to his knock and a couple of boundaries, Kraigg Brathwaite bowled out in the deep as Sajid struck in the fifth over to give the hosts the first breakthrough. Keacy Carty tried to sweep a glove that lobbed up to Rizwan to take an easy catch in Sajid’s follow-on.

Kavem Hodge was cleaned up by a classic offspinner who snuck past the inside edge to crash into the stumps, giving Sajid his third. At 37 for 3, Mikyle Louis went for an ill-advised big shot only for Sajid to parry it and shorten his length. The ball spun comfortably past his bat and hit leg stump instead. Justin Greaves had an LBW call against Noman Ali overturned early, but his luck ran out at lunch when the spinner caught him at point to leave the West Indies in tatters at 54 for 5.

Short results: West Indies 137 and 54/5 (Sajid Khan 4/25) trail Pakistan 230 and 157 (Shan Masood 52, Jomel Warrican 7-32) by 197 runs