Head coach Aaqib Javed promised that Pakistan could prepare a spin-friendly wicket anywhere in the country, and the first day of the second Test against West Indies in Multan demonstrated he had kept his promise.
Spin ran riot once more, as 20 wickets fell and both sides wrapped up within nine runs of each other. A hat-trick from Noman Ali, the first by a Pakistani spinner in Tests, saw Pakistan tear through the visitors in the morning session.
West Indies were reduced to 54 for 8 at one stage, before a remarkable recovery from the last three batters dragged them to the relative safety of 163.
It became clear that two of them could play the spin game when West Indies got the ball in hand.
Kemar Roach ripped through Pakistan’s top order, while Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie split seven wickets between them. Only Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel offered resistance as Pakistan folded for 154.
West Indies got their wish in the morning when they won the toss, allowing them to bat first. But they took little time running into trouble when Mikyle Louis poked behind to Rizwan, and got Pakistan up and running in the second over.
Debutant Amir Jangoo was struck plumb in front by Sajid Khan five balls later, and Pakistan were on their way.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Kavem Hodge put together a brief partnership that saw off fast bowler Kashif Ali, and initially held off the spinners. But once that stand was punctured, bloodletting followed. West Indies lost five wickets in the next 13 balls that reduced them from 32 for 2 to 38 for 7.
Three balls at the start of the 12th over from Noman got him his hat-trick with a mixture of deliveries. Justin Greaves’ edge came as a result of a touch of extra bounce, while Tevin Imlach missed a sweep to a straight one.
With just about everyone crowding around the bat for the hat-trick ball, Noman pushed it in at pace and found a bit of turn off the pitch.
It was much too good for Kevin Sinclair’s tentative prod, and Noman had his hat-trick. (ESPNcricinfo)
