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Pak vs WI 2024/25, Pak vs WI 2nd Test Match Report, Jan 25 – 29, 2025


Tea West Indies 163 and 244 (Brathwaite 52, Sajid 4-76, Noman 4-80) Pakistan 154 for 253 runs

The West Indies produced perhaps the best batting performance of the series, led by their captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s half-century, to take control of the second Test. They further solidified their position in the middle session, with the lower order producing several useful contributions, to set Pakistan 254 for victory. A 51-run seventh-wicket stand between Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair ensured that Pakistan could not breach the West Indies, as they had threatened in the final hour before lunch.
Brathwaite had challenged his team to be more aggressive and lead from the front. The tempo was set when he bowled Sajid Khan to long-on for six in the fifth over, before consecutive boundaries to start Noman Ali’s spell. It sent the message that the spin duo were not going to have things their way, and Brathwaite continued to reinforce that in offense and defence. Abrar Ahmed also saw his second ball whipped through Midwicket for four.

But Mikyle Louis, Brathwaite’s opening partner, was neither as positive nor looking as comfortable. That’s how Pakistan got back into the game: they drew Louis to a prod towards the off side, and Shan Masood took a direct catch at short extra cover.

However, debutant Amir Jangoo took a leaf out of his captain’s book. Brathwaite slapped Noman for six at long on but found himself slowing as he approached his half-century. However, Jangoo moved very well, and when he helped himself to two boundaries off Abrar off a West Indian, in complete control, he had his lead moving towards three figures.

But Pakistan’s spinners brought them back into the game. Brathwaite survived two lofted toes from consecutive deliveries with successful reviews, but fell the next when he tried to charge Noman and ended up getting hit by an extra spin. It was a form of dismissal almost identical to the one that would attract Kavem Hodge in the minutes before lunch.

Meanwhile, Sajid was also getting into the game. He had dismissed Jangoo shortly after Brathwaite went out for a walk, forcing the issue with a sweep when he appeared to have misjudged the flight and tone of the delivery. He ended up taking a feather off the bottom of the bat to slide, and West Indies were left with two new batsmen at the crease.

The final before lunch saw Pakistan attack for the fifth time. Noman landed the ball on the calotes and ripped it back into the pads of Alick Athanaze. An enthusiastic appeal, necessary in part because Pakistan has burned all three criticisms, was successful.

Pakistan continued to make inroads when Justin Greaves’s errant reverse sweep found a back-point. But as the visitors have made all the series, their lower order dug. Imlach and Sinclair didn’t take too many risks as they worked to build a conventional testing partnership, and the races seemed to go on. The duo batted for almost 14 overs as Pakistan rotated through their bowlers, and the search for a wicket became increasingly desperate.

The breakthrough came in unlikely fashion when Sinclair somehow played around a sajid delivery around the wicket, throwing his head to the sky in frustration. Imlach succumbed soon after to fast bowler Kashif Ali, who was what he was called.

Once again, however, the two bottom associations found ways to contribute. Gudakesh Motie combined with Jomel Warrican to add another 27, before the injured Kemar Roach, taking a splendid catch on Saturday, limped off to add some more crucial runs. He reached his side over 250 before Sajid finally ended the innings. But the first two-thirds of the day have been completely about planning for the West Indies.



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