Pakistan continued to reap rich dividends from their new-found strategy of going all in on spin as they comfortably defeated the West Indies by 127 runs in the first Test in Multan on Sunday.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan wreaked havoc once again as he picked up nine wickets in the match to seal Pakistan's third successive win on home soil, in record quick time.
Sajid followed his four-wicket haul in the first innings with 5-50 as the West Indies were bowled out for 123 runs in the second after being set a target of 251 runs on a pitch that had been tailor-made for extreme spin from the start.
Alick Athanaze made 55 off 68 balls before he became Sajid’s fifth victim with the inexperienced West Indies line-up folding in the second session on day three.
Pakistan had zeroed in on the spin formula during the recent Test encounter against England after changing strategies mid-series, artificially drying up wickets for the last two Tests and crushing England under relentless pressure from experienced spinners Sajid and Noman Ali.
That strategy worked like a charm and continued against the Windies, with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed also added to the mix. Abrar picked up four wickets in the second innings.
Pakistan completed victory in the shortest recorded time in home matches - in fewer than 180 overs.
Spinners have now taken 100 per cent of the wickets for Pakistan in the past three Tests, and captain Shan Masood is expected to continue the spin strategy when the next Test cycle begins.
“As long as we get 20 wickets and are able to put in a good performance, we will be happy,” Masood said. “We did not know whether in these conditions the ball would spin as it is cold. But our spinners were clinical.”
Sajid replicated his first-innings show with the new ball by removing the top four batsmen as the tourists slumped to 54-5 inside the first session.
Leg-spinner Abrar, who shared the new ball with Sajid, claimed figures of 4-27 as the Caribbean side lost their last four wickets without scoring a run.
“The batters didn’t play as well as they should have,” West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said. “We just have to be brave. It is important to be positive on these types of pitches. We should still trust our defence. If we can bring it together batting and bowling wise, we can come out on top.”
Earlier, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican had grabbed a career-best 7-32 as Pakistan batters also struggled on the spin friendly surface. Warrican featured in all but one dismissal in Pakistan’s second innings as the home team were bowled out for 157 runs after resuming on 109-3.
It gave Pakistan an overall lead of 250 runs after West were dismissed for 137 inside one session on day two in reply to Pakistan's score of 230.
“The team is playing together and it is great,” Sajid said. “The wicket had a lot of turn and bounce. The spin bowling coach spoke to me and in the second innings, I bowled a little slower and did not leak too many runs.”
Despite Pakistan’s third successive win at home, the fact remains they are ranked eighth in the world, just above West Indies at ninth.
“It is hard out there (for batters),” Masood said. “In the second innings, we folded cheaply. There are improvements to be made. When you win, you can go on a happy ride and be happy, but we can’t do that.”
The second Test, which will be the last for both teams in this WTC cycle, starts at the same venue on Friday.
