Warrican’s Career-Best Five-Wicket Haul Powers West Indies’ Historic Win in Pakistan After 34 Years
Date: 27th January 2025
In an extraordinary display of skill and determination, West Indies secured their first Test victory in Pakistan in 34 years, overwhelming the hosts by a 120-run margin in the second Test at Multan. The result, which came within just three days of play, was propelled by a sensational performance from Jomel Warrican, whose match-winning five-wicket haul destroyed Pakistan’s batting line-up and sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
The West Indies’ triumph in Pakistan is not just a milestone victory, but also a significant moment in the team’s history. It ended a 34-year wait for a Test win on Pakistani soil, a country where West Indies’ previous Test victories had been scarce. This emphatic victory also offers hope that West Indies cricket is beginning to find the form it has so desperately been searching for in recent years.
Warrican’s Magical Spell: A Fifer to Remember
At the heart of the West Indies’ success was Jomel Warrican, whose 5/53 in Pakistan’s second innings tore apart their middle and lower order. The slow, turning pitch at Multan offered a level of assistance to spinners, but Warrican’s accuracy and flight made all the difference. His disciplined and patient bowling, combined with his ability to extract just enough turn and bounce, proved too much for the Pakistani batsmen.
Warrican’s Impact on the Game:
- First Innings (West Indies Batting): The West Indies posted a modest 275 all out in their first innings, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope providing key contributions. While not a massive total, it was competitive enough given the conditions, and it gave the West Indies bowlers something to bowl at.
- Pakistan’s First Innings (All Out for 181): Pakistan’s batsmen, led by Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, could not build any substantial partnerships, thanks to the relentless pressure created by Warrican and the other West Indies bowlers. Warrican’s accuracy, combined with a tight field setting, kept the runs down and resulted in Pakistan’s collapse for 181 runs in their first innings.
- Pakistan’s Second Innings (All Out for 174): Pakistan’s chase of 220 runs on the final day seemed achievable, but Warrican had other plans. His spell in the second innings was clinical, with the left-arm spinner dismissing key players at vital moments. His wicket of Babar Azam—caught at short leg after playing a defensive shot—was a turning point, as it left Pakistan’s lower order exposed.
Warrican’s performance is widely regarded as a game-changer, and it will likely be remembered as one of the most impactful individual bowling performances in West Indies’ recent cricketing history.
The Collapse of Pakistan: Batting Woes Continue
Despite a promising start in both innings, Pakistan’s middle-order collapse and failure to build partnerships ultimately cost them the match. While the openers—Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali—provided some resistance in both innings, the Pakistani middle order, particularly the likes of Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, failed to deliver when it mattered most.
In the second innings, with the game on the line, Pakistan lost their final six wickets for just 48 runs, falling well short of the target. This collapse underscored Pakistan’s ongoing struggles in the longest format of the game, and it raised more questions about the team’s ability to cope under pressure.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s talisman, was dismissed cheaply in both innings—his inability to anchor the innings in a crunch moment will be an area of concern. Despite the occasional glimpses of brilliance, Pakistan’s failure to capitalize on favorable conditions at home has been a worrying trend in their recent performances.
The 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle: A Disastrous End for Pakistan
This loss not only ends the second Test series against West Indies on a low note but also marks a disastrous end to Pakistan’s 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. With only two wins from ten Test matches, Pakistan will finish rock bottom of the WTC standings, a position that they will be keen to forget.
This failure to progress through the WTC cycle has significant implications for Pakistan’s long-term cricketing strategy. They entered the cycle with high hopes, but their inconsistency and inability to perform in key series have left them with more questions than answers.
The most troubling aspect of Pakistan’s performance has been their inability to compete consistently against lower-ranked teams in the WTC. In this cycle, their losses to teams like West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand have highlighted gaps in their team composition and approach.
Key Issues for Pakistan:
- Middle-Order Collapse: The lack of consistency in the middle-order remains one of Pakistan’s biggest concerns. After the openers, no batsman has managed to regularly score runs, putting immense pressure on the lower order to make up for the shortfall.
- Underperforming Seniors: Senior players like Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Azhar Ali have failed to deliver on a consistent basis. While their experience is valuable, their recent form has been a cause for concern.
- Lack of Spin Options: Pakistan’s spin department, traditionally their strength at home, has failed to deliver in the absence of a match-winning leg-spinner or a reliable left-arm spinner.
West Indies’ Resurgence: A Sign of Hope
While this victory is undoubtedly a historic one, it also marks a potential turning point for West Indies cricket. After a period of inconsistency, the West Indies have shown that they are capable of competing with top sides on foreign soil. Their win in Pakistan builds on their recent successes and might be the spark needed to reignite their international cricket ambitions.
The West Indies will now be looking to close out the series with a clean sweep in Multan and use this victory as a stepping stone to greater achievements. The contribution of young talents like Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, and Alzarri Joseph has been instrumental, and the team’s future looks bright with such promising players at the helm.
Looking Ahead: The Final Test and Pakistan’s Road to Recovery
With the series now 2-0 in favor of West Indies, Pakistan will be hoping to salvage some pride in the final Test, but it will require a complete overhaul in both batting and bowling strategies. Pakistan’s immediate focus will be on addressing their middle-order woes and finding consistency in their performances.
For West Indies, the task is clear: maintain the momentum and build on this victory. If they can replicate this kind of performance in future tours, they will quickly regain respect and relevance in the cricketing world.
