In Multan, Pakistan, the cricket match between West Indies and Pakistan reached an exciting phase on Day 2 of the second test match, as left-arm spinner Noman Ali exhibited a stellar performance. The high-stakes game saw West Indies falter to 129-5, despite securing a marginal 138-run lead. This development came after Ali's remarkable feat of taking 10 wickets in the match.
Captain Kraigg Brathwaite offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors with his first half-century of the tour, significantly stretching the West Indies' advantage to a lead of 101 runs. However, the team's momentum was short-lived as four wickets fell in quick succession before lunch, leaving the West Indies' position precarious with only five wickets remaining in their second innings.
Previously, Day 1 was marked by a dramatic collapse where 20 wickets tumbled as Pakistan, batting second, managed only a nine-run lead after being bowled out for 154 in response to West Indies' initial score of 163.
Brathwaite’s strategic counterattacks against the spin bowlers brought him 52 runs off just 57 balls, an innings punctuated by four boundaries and two towering sixes. His aggressive stance was supported by opening partner Mikyle Louis during a promising opening phase.
Unfortunately for Louis, his tour concluded with disappointment as he succumbed to a simple catch at short cover when on seven, falling to Ali’s deceptive spin. Brathwaite, alongside debutant Amir Jangoo, managed to add 42 more runs amidst the spinning deluge before West Indies crumbled, losing four wickets for merely 37 runs.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan added fuel to the fire when he nearly dismissed Brathwaite twice in consecutive deliveries. Both of Khan’s appeals were initially upheld by umpire Rod Tucker, only to be overturned after replays showed that the balls would have missed the leg stump.
Brathwaite's tenacity faltered shortly after his milestone as he misjudged Ali’s skillful flight and was stumped. Meanwhile, Jangoo, aiming to rectify his earlier duck, was undone as his attempted sweep against Khan resulted in an easy snatch at the slips.
The challenges for West Indies escalated as Ali tightened the grip, claiming Kavem Hodge via a textbook stumping and getting Alick Athanaza lbw with a deceptive delivery that hardly spun.
Currently, Pakistan leads the series 1-0 following a convincing victory by 127 runs in the first test. With both teams languishing at the bottom of the World Test Championship leaderboard, Australia and South Africa have paved their way to this June's final at Lord's.
