Uncover the details of Warrican’s exceptional five-wicket performance that secured a memorable win for the West Indies against Pakistan. Read more for insights.
Introduction:
Jomel Warrican took complete control over a spin-bowling masterclass as the West Indies whitewashed Pakistan by 120 runs, drawing level in the series with their first win on Pakistani soil since 1990. On the third morning, visitors dismissed Pakistan for a poor score of 133 in less than an hour of bowling, ripping the hosts’ batting order to pieces.
See also: West Indies Close in on Victory Against Pakistan in Multan Test Day 2
With Warrican claiming yet another five-wicket haul, ably supported by Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair, the West Indies turned the tables on Pakistan, using their opponents’ traditional spin prowess to their own advantage.
A Morning of Dominance
Pakistan resumed on day three at 93/4, needing 161 more runs to pull off a remarkable chase. But it took the West Indies just three deliveries to set the tone for the morning. Kevin Sinclair drew Saud Shakeel into a false stroke, his sharply turning delivery taking the edge to first slip.
The very next over, Jomel Warrican struck, dismissing nightwatcher Kashif Ali with a delivery that zipped through the pads. At 95/6, Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback were quickly fading.
Rizwan and Agha’s Brief Resistance
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha looked to stabilize the sinking ship with a bold 39-run partnership. Facing the unstoppable trio of spinners, the two displayed resolve and hoped to slowly grind back into the contest. Rizwan in particular capitalised on rare loose balls but they did not come frequently enough.
Their resistance lasted for 12 overs before Warrican struck again. Low was a delivery that left Agha trapped in front of the stumps, which broke the partnership and exposed Pakistan’s tail.
The Final Collapse
With Agha gone back to the pavilion, Pakistan’s innings fell apart in no time. Warrican went back to wrap up Rizwan with a ball that went on with the arm, sneaking through the bat-pad gap and crashing into the stumps. It was a critical blow and by then Pakistan’s collapse seemed all but inevitable.
Gudakesh Motie joined the act, replacing Noman Ali, but it was fitting that Warrican delivered the final blow. Sajid Khan tried to defend but ended up dragging the ball onto his stumps, giving Warrican his fifth wicket of the innings and sealing the series-tying victory.
Warrican Shines Bright
The star of the show was undoubtedly Jomel Warrican, and his five-wicket haul in the second innings was a perfect closure for a glorious game. With 19 wickets for the series, control, variations, and cunning use of flight saw Pakistan’s batters lose their way. The West Indies team’s win epitomized perfectly in his signature celebration after the dismissal of Sajid with a hearty thigh-thump.
A Historic Victory
This victory has a lot of historical significance for the West Indies, as it marks their first victory on Pakistan soil in over three decades. It shows that the team was able to adapt to conditions and use spin to exploit Pakistan’s weaknesses, which speaks well of their preparation and tactical acumen.
With Kemar Roach out of the game, Warrican, Motie, and Sinclair did a fantastic job carrying the bowling attack with remarkable efficiency, which showed the depth and versatility of the spinners.
Important Moments
Saud Shakeel’s Early Dismissal: Sinclair’s sharp turn and bounce set the tone for the day by getting rid of Pakistan’s key batter early.
Warrican’s Low Skidder to Dismiss Agha: This was a pivotal moment that broke the resistance and gave the West Indies a clear path to victory.
Rizwan was bowled by Warrican: The loss of Pakistan’s last identified batsman sealed their fate.
What Next?
The series is now level and both teams would look to make amends for the decider. For Pakistan, handling spin would be a major point of discussion, whereas the West Indies will look to continue the momentum that they have in the final game.
This win not only boosts the visitors’ confidence but also highlights the rising influence of spin in their ranks, making them a more well-rounded side.