West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican delivered an extraordinary performance on the third day of the first Test, taking seven wickets to decimate Pakistan‘s batting order and tilt the match in his team’s favour. His efforts marked a historic achievement, making him the first West Indies spinner to claim a five-wicket haul against Pakistan on their home turf.
Pakistan’s second innings: Jomel Warrican’s masterful spell of 7 wickets
Starting their second innings at 109/3, Pakistan seemed poised to extend their lead, but Warrican’s incisive bowling shattered their momentum. He removed key players Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, both dismissed for just two runs, reducing Pakistan to 113/5 in the 34th over.
Kamran Ghulam tried to stabilize the innings with a gritty 27, but his dismissal deepened Pakistan’s troubles. Warrican’s dominance continued as he dismissed Noman Ali (9) and Sajid Khan (5), leaving the hosts floundering at 154/9. The final blow came when Warrican executed a sharp direct hit to run out Khurram Shahzad, who was yet to face a delivery. Gudakesh Motie sealed Pakistan’s fate by dismissing Salman Ali Agha for 14, bringing their innings to a close at 154 in 46.4 overs. Warrican’s career-best figures of 7/32 in 18 overs were the standout performance of the day, with Motie adding one wicket to the tally.
A battle of grit in a low-scoring match
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had set the tone with a first-innings total of 230, driven by Saud Shakeel’s 84 and Mohammad Rizwan’s 71. Their bowlers then put the West Indies under immense pressure, reducing them to 10/2 early in the innings. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were the architects of Pakistan’s bowling success, with Sajid dismissing Kraigg Brathwaite and Kavem Hodge, while Noman claimed five crucial wickets, dismantling the West Indies’ middle and lower order. A determined last-wicket stand of 46 runs between Warrican and Jayden Seales dragged the West Indies to 137, leaving Pakistan with a 93-run lead.
Also READ: PAK vs WI 2025: Mohammad Rizwan falls on the very next delivery following Noman Ali’s unusual run-out on Day 2 of the first Test
Shan Masood’s fifty offers brief hope
In Pakistan’s second innings, Shan Masood’s well-crafted 52 provided a solid foundation. He was supported by Ghulam, but a miscommunication between the batters led to Masood’s run-out, a moment that shifted the momentum in favor of the visitors. Warrican then capitalized on the situation, consistently troubling the batters with his accuracy and spin, eventually dismantling Pakistan’s lineup.
With a target of 251 runs, the West Indies now hold the upper hand, thanks to Warrican’s heroics. His sensational spell not only brought his team back into the contest but also set the stage for a thrilling final innings. As the visitors prepare to chase down the target, the match remains finely poised, promising an exciting finish to a gripping encounter.
Here’s how fans reacted:
James Warrican is the 1st West Indies spinner to have claimed a 5w haul in Pakistan in Test Cricket. In fact, his current figures 7/32 is the best ever performance by a bowler from West Indies in Pakistan, as far as test cricket is concerned.
No other bowler from West Indies,…— Spandan Roy (@talksports45) January 19, 2025
Pakistan are all out for 157 with Jomel Warrican taking seven wickets 🏏
West Indies are set a target of 251 🎯#PAKvWI | #RedBallRumble pic.twitter.com/TxCqPnpgbH
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 19, 2025
Jomel Warrican became the first Westindies Spinner to take 5 wicket haul in Pakistan. Previous best was 4/25 in 1959 by Sonny Ramadhin. pic.twitter.com/T8HEB82kbg
— Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan) January 19, 2025
Jomel Warrican – take a bow!
Best Test bowling figures of 7-32 🔥
Top run-scorer in the 1st innings 👏
10 wickets in the match 💪#PAKvWI— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 19, 2025
Warrican has adjusted his pace well on the third morning and varied his trajectories. He and WI spinners were a tad quicker in the first innings as compared to Sajid and Noman. But, this spell feels especially curated for this wicket#PAKvWI
— Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (@ahsannagi) January 19, 2025
a non-review/bad umpiring decision has just cost jomel warrican of having 3rd best figures in west indies history. he will have to settle for 12th but what an effort by him. rest failed to back him up.
— Dhruv (@IAmDhruvChouhan) January 19, 2025
So who would have believed that a West Indian spinner would wreck Pakistan on a turning track made by Pakistan?
Take a bow, Jamel Warrican.— Nimish Dubey (@nimishdubey) January 19, 2025
7 wickets for Jomel Warrican in 2nd innings. This pitch now looks unplayable and Pakistan show defend 250 easily here 🏏#PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/4bQ4jiIrN3
— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) January 19, 2025
Magnificent Spell. Career Best Test Bowling figures 7/32 and Career Best Test BBM figures 10/101 for Jomel Warrican.
Pakistan from 106/2 to 157 All Out in Second innings. @windiescricket @wiplayers #PAKvWI— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 19, 2025
Rise and rise of Jomel Warrican always fond since seeing him first in 2015
— Pricviz (@Pric_viz_) January 19, 2025
Also READ: PAK vs WI: Fans troll Babar Azam for challenging a clear dismissal on Day 1 of the first Test
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