Former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja hailed the national team's dominant performance against West Indies in first test, emphasizing the pivotal role of Pakistan's spinners and the game-changing partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz remarked, “Pakistan pocketed this Test match with authority. The square-turning pitch, similar to those introduced after the England series, exposed the West Indies' weaknesses against spin. Their batters were unequipped to handle our heavy-duty spin attack.”
He praised the pivotal 141-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel in the first innings, calling it a game-changer.
“On a challenging pitch, the way Rizwan and Shakeel handled the pressure was brilliant. They turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor when it mattered most. Even though Pakistan’s batting stumbled in the second innings, they had already moved so far ahead that 250 was unachievable for the West Indies,” he remarked.
Ramiz was particularly impressed with Pakistan's trio of spinners—Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan.
“The spinners were the stars of the show,” he further remarked. “Abrar’s wicket-to-wicket bowling, Noman’s ability to deceive with his straight deliveries, and Sajid’s wide angles and versatility created an ideal combination. Each bowler brought something unique to the table, adjusting seamlessly to the wear and tear of the ball,” he further added.
Highlighting their impact, he added, “Abrar is relentless with his accuracy, Noman’s variations on a spinning track are world-class, and Sajid’s angles make him a constant threat. Together, they formed a perfect spin attack that dominated the opposition,” Ramiz added.
Ramiz concluded by urging the West Indies to take this as a learning experience.
“This test should be a wake-up call for the West Indies. They need to come up with better strategies and significantly improve their batting against spin. For Pakistan, it’s an excellent chance to win the series 2-0 and set a positive tone for the home season. Victories like these give immense confidence to the players and the system,” he concluded.
The match saw Pakistan secure a 127-run victory in the first Test against West Indies, taking a 1-0 series lead. Sajid Khan's remarkable bowling (4/65 & 5/50) earned him the Player of the Match as spinners dominated the game. Despite a second-innings collapse that saw Pakistan bowled out for 157, their spin trio of Sajid, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed bundled West Indies out for 123 while defending a target of 251.
Jomel Warrican’s career-best 7/32 had earlier troubled Pakistan, but the hosts capitalized on their first-innings lead. Alick Athanaze fought hard with 55 for West Indies, but Abrar and Sajid’s brilliance sealed Pakistan’s victory.
The second Test will be played in Multan on Friday, January 25.