Sajid and Abrar steer Pakistan to victory in first Test
Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed took nine of West Indies' 10 second-inning wickets to inspire Pakistan to victory in the first Test in Multan.
Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed starred as Pakistan wrapped up the first Test against West Indies with two days to spare.
The pair took nine of the tourists' 10 wickets in the second innings in Multan, where the hosts triumphed by 127 runs.
Pakistan began day three at 109-3 with a 202-run lead, but Jomel Warrican made a statement of intent as he dismissed Saud Shakeel (two) with the opening delivery.
Warrican also claimed Muhammad Rizwan (two) and Kamran Ghulam (27) soon after, as well as Sajid (five) to finish with an impressive 7-32, as the hosts were bowled out for 157.
With West Indies chasing 251, Pakistan's spinners then took centre stage again, despite the best efforts of Alick Athanaze, who kept things ticking over with 55.
However, he was eventually dismissed by Sajid, who finished with 5-50, during a costly final three overs, in which Abrar also claimed Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie and Warrican to take his own tally to 4-27.
More importantly, West Indies were all out for 127, leaving them well short of their target, as the hosts drew first blood in the series.
A third consecutive home Test for Pakistan where the spinners have taken all 20 wicketshttps://t.co/s2pMu4Lhx8 #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/ozFaBMJVA7
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 19, 2025
Data Debrief: Bowlers take centre stage in Multan
For a third consecutive home Test, Pakistan's spinners claimed all 20 wickets, nine of which came from the inspired Sajid.
However, Warrican can take plenty of credit for his performance in ensuring the hosts lost seven for 48 on day three, having registered his first five-for in Test cricket.
His final figures of 7-32 were the third-best for a visiting bowler in Pakistan.