MULTAN, Pakistan, Jan 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Skipper Shan Masood defended
Pakistan's formula of using spin-friendly pitches to win home Test matches
after a 127-run victory over the West Indies in Multan on Sunday.

Pakistan completed the win before tea on the third day as spinners Sajid Khan
grabbed 5-50 and Abrar Ahmed finished with 4-27 to dismiss the West Indies
for 123 after setting a 251-run target.

The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions on a dry and grassless Multan
Stadium pitch, with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets to fall.

Sajid finished with nine wickets, fellow spinner Noman Ali six and the West
Indian left-armer Jomel Warrican took a maiden 10-wicket haul.

Pakistan bowled just one over of pace in the match.

"If we want to be a top side in the World Test Championship then we have to
sacrifice some things, like we did with the fast bowling in this Test,"
Masood said.

Pakistan made drastic changes after going winless in 11 home Tests since
2021, using industrial fans and patio heaters to dry the Multan pitch against
England last year.

Sajid and Noman took 39 of the 40 wickets to give Pakistan a come-from-behind
2-1 series win against England, repeating the same ploy against the West
Indies.

Masood's captain counterpart Kraigg Brathwaite had no issue with it.

They will play the second Test from January 25 at the same venue.

"They're at home so they got their decision how they want the pitch to
behave," said Brathwaite.

"It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure.

"We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test so we got to come better
with bravery and belief."

Left-hander Alick Athanaze hit the only half-century for the tourists in the
match with 55, an innings Brathwaite wants his batters to learn from.

"He swept it on both sides so we just have to be brave," said Brathwaite.

"We have got one more Test and we have to believe in ourselves."