Pakistan captain Shan Masood has defended the team’s strategy of playing on spin-friendly pitches following their emphatic 127-run victory over the West Indies in Multan.
Historic Win in Multan
- The first Test in Multan ended in less than three days, marking it as the shortest-ever completed Test with a result in Pakistan’s history.
- Pakistan dismissed the West Indies for 137 in the first innings, taking a 93-run lead.
- The West Indies faltered in the second innings while chasing 251, extending their 35-year drought of wins on Pakistani soil.
Success Through Spin
Pakistan’s reliance on spin-friendly pitches has become a cornerstone of their strategy since their series against England last year.
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- All 60 wickets in Pakistan’s last three home Tests were taken by spinners.
- The approach has helped Pakistan recover from an 11-match winless streak.
Shan Masood emphasized the team’s commitment to winning:
“We will do what we need to do to take 20 wickets and win the match. We’ve sacrificed individual achievements for team success.”
Batting Challenges and Flexibility
While spinners have excelled, Pakistan’s batting performance has been less consistent:
- Only two batters have scored centuries in the past three home Tests.
- Saud Shakeel remains the only batter averaging over 35 in this period.
Masood urged a balanced view:
“Our batters performed better than the West Indies and England’s batters in October. Judging them purely by milestones is misleading.”
Future Strategy and Adaptation
Masood hinted at adapting strategies based on opposition and conditions:
“There will be times when we feel the need to prepare seam-friendly wickets. Our fast bowlers will shine just like our spinners did here.”
Looking Ahead
Under Masood’s leadership, Pakistan is building a versatile team capable of excelling in varied conditions. As they continue in the next WTC cycle, adaptability will remain key to their success, whether in spin-friendly or seam-friendly conditions.
