Multan, January 24, 2025: Head coach Aaqib Javed has defended Pakistan’s spin-heavy approach as they gear up to complete a 2-0 series sweep against the West Indies in the second Test, starting Saturday in Multan.
Pakistan secured a dominant 127-run victory in the first Test, finishing the game within three days. Spinners Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed collectively claimed 20 wickets, with Sajid taking nine. The West Indies also relied heavily on spin, with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican achieving career-best figures of 7-32. Notably, 34 of the 40 wickets in the match fell to spinners, highlighting the impact of the dry, grassless pitch.
Despite criticism from former players and analysts regarding Pakistan’s overreliance on spin, especially with an eye on less spin-friendly overseas conditions, Aaqib Javed remains unfazed. “We identified the West Indies’ vulnerability against spin and capitalized on it. We will stick with this strategy,” Aaqib stated during a press conference on Friday.
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, while acknowledging the challenge posed by Pakistan’s spin strategy, accepted it as part of cricket. “It’s their home advantage, and spinning pitches are their strength,” Brathwaite said. However, he noted the difficulty of batting on the Multan surface, describing it as a pitch that started cracking from day one.
The West Indies will be missing pacer Jayden Seales, who sustained an injury in the first Test. Seales, who claimed three wickets, will be replaced by veteran Kemar Roach. Pakistan, on the other hand, are likely to field an unchanged XI.
Brathwaite emphasized the importance of resilience and belief in his side’s batting approach after scores of 137 and 123 in the first Test, where Alick Athanaze was the only batter to reach a half-century. “The pitch was challenging, but we need to believe in our plans from the very first ball,” Brathwaite said.
Both teams occupy the lower rungs of the World Test Championship table, with Pakistan sitting eighth and the West Indies in ninth. A victory in Multan could see Pakistan rise to seventh, offering a small consolation in their otherwise underwhelming campaign.
Pakistan’s resurgence in Test cricket began last year when Aaqib Javed, as part of a revamped selection panel, made bold decisions following their 11th consecutive home Test without a win. The team dropped the struggling Babar Azam and rested fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, opting instead for spin-focused tactics. The strategy paid off, with Pakistan clinching a 2-1 series victory against England on spin-friendly pitches in Rawalpindi.
Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Aaqib remarked, “Had we made these changes earlier, we could have been contenders for the World Test Championship final.”
With the Multan pitch once again expected to favor spin, Pakistan will look to exploit their home advantage and maintain their winning momentum.
