The West Indies and Pakistan gear up for an intense showdown in the second Test of their two-match series at the Multan Cricket Stadium on January 25, 2025. After Pakistan’s emphatic win in the first Test, they will be eager to seal the series with a clean sweep. However, the visitors, smarting from their loss, will look to bounce back and even the series. Multan’s spin-friendly conditions are expected to take center stage again, placing immense pressure on both batting line-ups to adapt and thrive under testing circumstances. With star players like Shan Masood and Alick Athanaze in the spotlight, the stakes are high for both teams in this encounter.
Big Picture
The storylines from the first Test carry over into this second encounter. Pakistan’s mastery of spin bowling proved too much for the West Indies, as spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali dismantled the visitors. Multan’s pitch, notorious for early cracks and sharp turn, will once again test the resilience and skill of both teams.
For Pakistan, this Test is about making a statement. Skipper Shan Masood is under the microscope, needing both a tactical victory and a strong personal performance to silence critics questioning his leadership. On the other hand, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has rallied his team, emphasizing the need to learn from their mistakes in the first game and make adjustments to tackle Pakistan’s spin threat.
Key Players to Watch
Shan Masood (Pakistan)
Shan Masood has been a steady performer with the bat, but he knows the pressure to lead his team to consecutive home series wins looms large. With a century and a fifty in recent innings, his form could be the backbone of Pakistan’s batting effort.
Alick Athanaze (West Indies)
The young West Indies batter has been a revelation, scoring a gritty half-century in the first Test. With the likes of Brian Lara praising his technique, Athanaze will be pivotal in holding the West Indies batting line-up together on a challenging surface.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
The weather in Multan is expected to be sunny and dry, with light winds providing ideal playing conditions. The pitch is once again expected to favor spinners, with the dry surface and early cracks making batting difficult as the game progresses. Teams winning the toss will likely bat first to capitalize on the relatively easier conditions on Day 1.
What Pakistan Needs to Do
Pakistan’s blueprint for success in the second Test will be simple: continue their dominance with spin. The trio of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Abrar Ahmed wreaked havoc in the first Test, and they are poised to deliver again. Babar Azam’s contributions with the bat will be crucial, as he looks to bounce back after a quiet first Test.
Another aspect Pakistan will look to improve is their lower-order batting. Despite their comfortable win in the first Test, collapses in the tail could be exploited by a resilient West Indies attack.
What West Indies Needs to Do
For the West Indies, the key to success lies in adapting to Multan’s spin-friendly conditions. Their batting order struggled in the first Test, and much will depend on experienced players like Kraigg Brathwaite and Keacy Carty to anchor the innings. Alick Athanaze’s form provides hope, but the top order must perform as a unit.
With the ball, Jomel Warrican’s 10-wicket haul in the first Test showed that the visitors have the tools to challenge Pakistan. West Indies must find a way to maintain pressure for longer spells and capitalize on Pakistan’s occasional batting lapses.
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan (This Playing XI has been confirmed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB):
- Shan Masood (C)
- Mohammad Huraira
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
- Agha Salman
- Noman Ali
- Sajid Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Kashif Ali
West Indies:
- Kraigg Brathwaite (C)
- Mikyle Louis
- Keacy Carty
- Alick Athanaze
- Kavem Hodge
- Justin Greaves
- Amir Jangoo (WK)
- Gudakesh Motie
- Kevin Sinclair
- Jomel Warrican
- Kemar Roach
Final Thoughts
The second Test promises to be a fascinating contest, with Pakistan looking to assert their dominance and West Indies aiming to level the series. Both teams have plenty to prove, and the Multan pitch will once again serve as the ultimate litmus test of skill and adaptability. Whether it’s Pakistan’s spinners or West Indies’ resilience that takes center stage, cricket fans are in for an enthralling encounter.