MULTAN: Pakistan gained a significant 202-run lead against the West Indies on the second day of the first Test at Multan Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The lead came on the back of a formidable spin attack by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who dismantled the visitors’ batting lineup in their first innings.

As Pakistan began their second innings, captain Shan Masood opened alongside Muhammad Huraira. Huraira was dismissed for 29 runs by Jomel Warrican, who also claimed the wicket of Babar Azam for just five runs.

Masood added 52 runs before falling to Warrican, leaving Pakistan at 106-3. Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten when the day’s play was halted due to bad light. Pakistan ended the day at 109-3 and will continue batting on Sunday.

Earlier, no West Indies batter managed a noteworthy performance apart from tail-ender Jomel Warrican, who scored 31 with four boundaries and a six.

In Pakistan’s first innings, the hosts were dismissed for 230 as West Indian spinners Jomel Warrican and Kevin Sinclair shared five wickets. Warrican secured 3-69, while Sinclair ended with 2-61. Pakistan’s batting order crumbled after resuming the day at 143-4, losing six wickets for just 87 runs.

Saud Shakeel top-scored with 84, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 71. Their 141-run fifth-wicket stand rescued Pakistan from a precarious 46-4 position on Day 1.

West Indies pacer Jayden Seales took 3-27, with his wickets coming on Friday. Sinclair’s dismissal of Shakeel marked the start of a collapse, and the team tumbled to 230 by lunch.

Pakistan now stands in a dominant position with their lead of 202 as they aim to strengthen their grip on the match on Day 3.

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