The recently concluded Pakistan vs West Indies Test match at Multan Cricket Stadium turned into a historic contest, leaving cricket fans in awe. With 20 wickets falling on the opening day, this Test match set a new record for the most dismissals in a single day on Pakistan soil, surpassing the previous best of 19 wickets recorded in the same series.
Let’s take a deeper look into the records, milestones, and stunning performances from this remarkable Test cricket encounter.
Unprecedented Wicket Collapse on Day 1
The Test match in Multan made history as both teams were bowled out on the first day—the first-ever such instance in Asia. Globally, this has only occurred 14 times, with the most recent being in the 2024 New Year’s Test in Cape Town.
Records Broken in the First Day’s Play
- 20 wickets fell, setting a new record for most wickets in a day in a Test match in Pakistan.
- This surpassed the previous record of 19 wickets, which had been set just a match earlier in the series.
- The previous highest number of wickets in a day in Asia was 18 (India vs West Indies, Delhi, 1987).
- The most in Pakistan before this was 15 wickets (Pakistan vs New Zealand, Lahore, 1996).
Noman Ali’s Sensational Hat-Trick
One of the biggest highlights of the match was Noman Ali’s hat-trick, making him the sixth Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat in Tests. Notably, he is the first-ever Pakistani spinner to claim a hat-trick.
List of Pakistan’s Test Hat-Tricks:
| Player | Against | Venue | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | Sri Lanka | Lahore | 1998/99 |
| Wasim Akram | Sri Lanka | Dhaka | 1998/99 |
| Abdul Razzaq | Sri Lanka | Galle | 2000 |
| Mohammad Sami | Sri Lanka | Lahore | 2001/02 |
| Naseem Shah | Bangladesh | Rawalpindi | 2020 |
| Noman Ali | West Indies | Multan | 2024/25 |
Noman Ali joined the elite list of bowlers with consecutive five-wicket hauls, achieving his fifth such performance in successive Tests. Only four other bowlers in Test cricket history have accomplished this, including Yasir Shah from Pakistan.
West Indies’ Lower-Order Resistance
Despite their batting collapse, West Indies’ last three batters put up a strong fight. The trio of Gudakesh Motie (55), Jomel Warrican (36), and Kemar Roach (25) became the top three scorers for their team—a rare feat in Test cricket history.
Only Two Such Instances in Cricket History
This has only happened once before in Tests, coincidentally during the previous Test in the same series, where Warrican (31), Jayden Seales (22), and Motie (19) top-scored.
Lowest Entry Point for a No. 9 Fifty
Motie came in at 38/7 and scored a brilliant half-century, making it the joint second-lowest entry point for a No. 9 batter in Test history. The only lower entry point was Charlie Absolom (52) for England in 1879.
Highest 10th-Wicket Stand Contribution
The partnership between Motie and Warrican (68 runs) contributed 41.71% of the total team score—the second-highest percentage for a 10th-wicket stand in West Indies’ Test cricket history.
West Indies Secure an Unusual First-Innings Lead
West Indies’ 163-run total in the first innings is among the lowest scores ever recorded where a team managed to take a first-innings lead in a Test match. This was the fourth-lowest such total in their history and the lowest in an away game.
Lowest First-Innings Scores with a Lead for West Indies
| 1st Innings Score | Lead | Opponent | Season | Venue | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 21 | England | 1934/35 | Bridgetown | England |
| 149 | 15 | Australia | 1990/91 | Bridgetown | West Indies |
| 159 | 14 | England | 1997/98 | Port of Spain | England |
| 163 | 9 | Pakistan | 2024/25 | Multan | In progress |
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs West Indies Test match in Multan will be remembered as one of the most unpredictable and record-breaking Test matches in recent cricket history. With 20 wickets tumbling in a single day, Noman Ali’s hat-trick, and West Indies’ lower-order resilience, this game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of Test cricket.
FAQs
1. What is the record for most wickets in a single day of Test cricket in Pakistan?
Ans: The new record is 20 wickets in a single day, set during the Pakistan vs West Indies Test match in Multan in 2024/25.
2. Who was the first Pakistani spinner to take a hat-trick in Test cricket?
Ans: In Test cricket, Noman Ali became the first spinner from Pakistan to record a hat-trick.
3. What was West Indies’ first-innings total in the Multan Test match?
Ans: West Indies scored 163 runs, which was the fourth-lowest first-innings total in their history but they still secured a lead.
4. Who were the top scorers for West Indies in the first innings?
Ans: Surprisingly, the top scorers were the last three batters—Gudakesh Motie (55), Jomel Warrican (36), and Kemar Roach (25).
5. Where can I watch Pakistan vs West Indies Test match highlights?
Ans: You can watch the highlights on platforms like YouTube, ESPN Cricinfo, ICC’s official website, and the PCB’s official page.