The Multan Test between Pakistan and West Indies was no ordinary game of cricket. In just 1064 balls—the shortest completed Test to produce a result in Pakistan—the match delivered a whirlwind of records, from extraordinary spin-bowling feats to a day with 19 wickets tumbling. Let’s dive into the historic numbers that made this Test unforgettable.
Shortest Test Match in Pakistan to Produce a Result
The Multan Test lasted only 1064 balls across four innings, smashing the previous record of 1080 balls from a 1990 Faisalabad Test, also between Pakistan and West Indies. This rapid-fire encounter rewrote Pakistan’s Test history books, showcasing the dominance of bowlers on a spin-friendly surface.
Unbelievable Batting and Bowling Feats
Lowest Total Runs in a Test in Asia (Where All Wickets Fell)
- Total Runs: 647
This low aggregate marks the third-lowest in Asia for a men’s Test where all 40 wickets fell. Globally, it ranks fourth since 1980 under the same conditions.
West Indies’ Struggle with the Bat
- Balls Faced: 371
This is the fewest balls faced by West Indies in a Test where they lost all 20 wickets, obliterating their previous low of 450 balls against England in 2000 at Leeds.
Jomel Warrican’s Record-Breaking Performance
- 7 for 32: Warrican’s bowling figures in Pakistan’s second innings set a new benchmark for visiting spinners in Pakistan.
- 10-Wicket Haul: Warrican became only the fifth visiting bowler and the first from West Indies to achieve a ten-wicket haul in Pakistan.
Spin Domination Like Never Before
Pakistan’s spinners dominated the series, claiming all 20 West Indies wickets in Multan. This marked the third Test in this home season alone where spinners took every wicket—a feat previously achieved only twice in Pakistan’s history (1980 and 1987).
Most Wickets for Spinners in a Pakistan Test
- 34 Wickets: The spinners from both sides combined to claim 34 wickets, setting a new record for most spin-bowling wickets in a single Test in Pakistan.
Days of Carnage: Unmatched Action in a Single Day
19 Wickets on Day Two
- The second day of the Multan Test saw 19 wickets fall, the most in a single day in Pakistan’s Test history.
12 Wickets in a Session
- On day three, 12 wickets fell in the opening session, equaling the most wickets in a session in men’s Tests since 2010.
Unique Batting Records
The West Indies tailenders turned heads with a bizarre yet fascinating achievement.
- Top Scores by Nos. 9, 10, and 11: Jomel Warrican (31*), Jayden Seales (22), and Gudakesh Motie (19) became the first trio at these positions to produce the top three scores in a men’s Test innings.
This quirky record had only two prior instances in men’s Test cricket—once in 1885 and again in 2022.
FAQs
Q: Why was the Multan Test historically significant?
A: It was the shortest Test in Pakistan to produce a result, featuring record-breaking feats by both spinners and tailenders.
Q: How did Jomel Warrican make history?
A: Warrican recorded the best bowling figures by a visiting spinner in Pakistan (7 for 32) and became the first West Indian with a ten-wicket haul in Pakistan.
Q: What role did spin play in the Multan Test?
A: Spin completely dominated, with spinners taking all 20 West Indies wickets and setting a new record for the most spin-bowling wickets in a Pakistan Test (34).
Q: Which unusual batting record did West Indies achieve?
A: Their Nos. 9, 10, and 11 produced the top three scores in a single innings, a rare occurrence in Test cricket.
Final Thoughts
The Multan Test was a showcase of strategy, resilience, and unparalleled cricketing drama. From spin wizardry to quirky batting achievements, this match will be remembered as a landmark in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
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