Pakistan vs West Indies: Visitors Push for Victory in Second Test

West Indies are on the verge of a historic victory in the second Test against Pakistan, with the hosts chasing 254 runs to win. Pakistan trails by 178 runs with six wickets remaining, setting up an exciting finale in Multan.

The second Test between West Indies and Pakistan hangs in the balance, with the visitors eyeing a historic victory. Pakistan requires 178 runs to win the Test and sweep the series, while West Indies need six wickets to level the two-match series. After the second day's play at Multan, West Indies ended their second innings on 244, setting a target of 254 for Pakistan, who trailed by nine runs after the first innings.

Pakistan, who won the first Test by 127 runs at the same venue, were 76-4 at stumps, giving West Indies a fighting chance to win their first Test in Pakistan since November 1990. Kevin Sinclair took the crucial wickets of Shan Masood and Babar Azam, boosting the visitors' hopes. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite gave his team a strong start in the second innings with a 50-run opening partnership before Mikyle Louis fell to Noman Ali.

Brathwaite scored a half-century in 57 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes, before being stumped out by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman's spin. Rizwan also stumped Kavem Hodge, while Amir Jangoo fell to Sajid Khan. West Indies struggled at 145-6, but Kevin Sinclair and Tevin Imlach steadied the innings with a 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Sinclair scored 28 before being bowled out by Khan, who took four wickets along with Noman Ali.

The incredible fight back by the West Indies! pic.twitter.com/zUEaM8Sz8i

— The Khel India Cricket (@TKI_Cricket) January 26, 2025

Kemar Roach, despite nursing a groin injury sustained during a spectacular diving catch on Saturday, bravely took to the crease as the last batsman for West Indies. Clearly in discomfort, Roach limped and ran gingerly but refused to give up his wicket. He contributed four valuable runs in an 11-run partnership with Jomel Warrican, who scored 18.

Pakistan's chase got off to a dismal start, with openers Shan Masood and Muhammad Hurraira both falling leg before wicket to deliveries that failed to turn as expected. The hosts' struggles continued as Kamran Ghulam, who had started promisingly with 19 runs, mistimed an attempted six off Jomel Warrican and was caught by Amir Jangoo at backward point, leaving Pakistan reeling at 48-3.

The situation soon took a turn for the worse for Pakistan as Babar Azam, their captain, was outsmarted by Kevin Sinclair's sharp bounce and edged the ball to Alick Athanaze, departing for 31 runs. This wicket left Pakistan facing an uphill battle to achieve their target, with West Indies sensing an opportunity to level the series.