Sat Jan 25 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Mulls Pace-less Attack for Second Test Against West Indies
**MULTAN, PAKISTAN** – Pakistan is considering a radical strategy for the second Test against the West Indies: a pace-less attack featuring three specialist spinners and eight batsmen. The decision follows the resounding success of their spin bowlers in the first Test, a match that ended in a dominant Pakistani victory within three days and became the shortest Test ever played in Pakistan in terms of balls bowled (1064).
Spinners Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and Abrar Ahmed took all 20 West Indies wickets in the first Test. This performance, coupled with the capable part-time spin bowling of Salman Ali Agha and Kamran Ghulam, has led the team management to prioritize batting strength. Sources suggest that opener Imam-ul-Haq will be added to the eleven, bolstering the batting lineup at the expense of any specialist pace bowlers. Only one pacer, Khurrum Shehzad, featured in the first Test.
While Pakistan’s spinners excelled, their batsmen also faced challenges, managing only four half-centuries despite West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican’s impressive 11-wicket haul, including a devastating 7 for 32 in the second innings.
The likely Pakistan eleven for the second Test features Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Hurraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan. This lineup reflects a bold gamble on the continued dominance of their spin attack and a desire to strengthen their batting order. The team’s recent history in Multan, including large victories over England and the West Indies, supports their confidence in this strategy.
First Piper 