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, triggering a stunning collapse of 6 for 48 runs on the third morning in Multan. Pakistan folded for 157, setting the visitors a target of 251 before Sajid Khan brought them roaring back into the contest with four quick wickets. At Lunch, West Indies need another 197 while the hosts are five wickets away from a 1-0 series lead.
Despite a foggy morning, play began as scheduled 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 one straight to short mid-wicket first ball of the day to depart without adding anything to the overnight tally. Warrican then had Mohammad Rizwan caught in the slips with a ripper that spun sharply to take the edge. Kamran Ghulam, similarly, was undone by one that turned away sharply, giving Warrican his fifer.
Noman Ali was beaten on the reverse-sweep and the umpire was quick to raise the finger. Much like in the first innings, Sajid Khan was on the attack right away with a first-ball boundary. West Indies burnt a review on him early but the fireworks weren’t meant to be this time as Warrican had him caught at backward point for just five.
The spinner then caught Khurram Shahzad short of his crease with an accurate direct-hit to reduce Pakistan to 154 for 9 with a hand in each of those dismissals until that point. The only one to get away was Salman Ali Agha, perishing in his attempt to fetch some quick runs off Gudakesh Motie just as Pakistan’s lead reached 250.
Much like in the first innings, Sajid Khan then ripped through the West Indies top-order to nudge Pakistan ahead once more in the see-sawing contest. After a positive start to his knock and a couple of boundaries, Kraigg Brathwaite holed out in the deep as Sajid struck in the fifth over to give the hosts the first breakthrough. Attempting a sweep, Keacy Carty gloved one that lobbed up for Rizwan to take an easy catch in Sajid’s following over.
Kavem Hodge was cleaned up by a classic offspinner that 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 slow it down and shorten his length. The ball comfortably spun past his bat and hit the leg-stump instead. Justin Greaves had an LBW call overturned against Noman Ali early, but his luck ran out at the stroke of lunch when the spinner caught him plumb in front to leave West Indies in tatters at 54 for 5.
Brief scores: West Indies 137 and 54/5 (Sajid Khan 4/25) trail Pakistan 230 & 157 (Shan Masood 52, Jomel Warrican 7-32) by 197 runs
© Cricbuzz
