It came as little surprise when West Indies surrendered the opening Test to Pakistan, as they slumped to a 127-run defeat inside three days at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Despite flashes of brilliance, including Jomel Warrican's exceptional bowling display, the Caribbean side’s batting frailty against spin again proved their undoing.

Resuming on 109-3 with a lead of 202, Pakistan lost their remaining seven wickets for just 48 runs in the morning session, as Warrican delivered a career-best performance of 7-32 in 18 overs. His match figures of 10-101 are the third-best by a visiting bowler in Pakistan.

However, Pakistan's modest second-innings total of 157 still left the West Indies with a target of 251—on a pitch offering significant assistance to spinners.

West Indies’ chase began with promise but quickly disintegrated under the relentless pressure of Pakistan’s spin trio—Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Noman Ali—as they were bowled out for a paltry 123 in just 36.3 overs. Alick Athanaze was the lone resistance with a fluent 55 off 68 balls, including seven boundaries.

Jomel Warrican celebrates his career-best achievement. (Photos: PCB)

Khan spearheaded Pakistan's bowling with 5-50, taking his match tally to 9-115. Abrar Ahmed chipped in with 4-27, while Noman Ali claimed 1-42.

Scores: Pakistan: 230 (Saud Shakeel 84, Mohammad Rizwan 71; Jayden Seales 3-27) and 157 (Shan Masood 52; Jomel Warrican 7-32); West Indies: 180 (Jomel Warrican 31*; Noman Ali 5-39, Sajid Khan 4-65) and 123 (Alick Athanaze 55; Sajid Khan 5-50, Abrar Ahmed 4-27)

Pakistan’s second innings unraveled quickly as Warrican made early inroads. He removed Saud Shakeel (two) with the first ball of the day, and shortly after, dismissed Mohammad Rizwan (two) to keep the hosts under pressure. Warrican’s variations proved unplayable, as he claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul by cleaning up the tail with precision.

Despite Pakistan’s collapse, their total proved more than enough on a deteriorating surface that offered sharp turn and variable bounce.

Chasing 251, the West Indies started with positive intent but were undone by disciplined bowling and poor shot selection. Kraigg Brathwaite (12) fell to a slog sweep, and wickets tumbled in clusters as Khan exploited the footmarks with prodigious turn.

Sajid Khan kisses his player of the match trophy.

The visitors slumped to 37-4 by lunch, with Mikyle Louis (13) and Kavem Hodge (zero) cleaned up by Khan. Justin Greaves (nine) departed on the stroke of lunch, as he missed a sweep off Ali and left West Indies in tatters.

After the break, Athanaze showed resilience, as he combined with Tevin Imlach (14) and Kevin Sinclair (10) to briefly frustrate Pakistan. However, Ahmed's introduction turned the tide, as he dismissed Imlach with a beauty that drifted in and turned away to take the edge.

Ahmed continued to dismantle the middle and lower order, aided by sharp fielding, including a brilliant catch by Salman Agha to remove Sinclair.

Athanaze’s defiance ended when he missed a straight one from Khan, and Ahmed cleaned up the tail to seal a comprehensive victory that put Pakistan 1-0 up in the two-match series.