Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies achieved a historic milestone during the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan on January 17, 2025. He became the first spinner in 113 years to deliver the opening ball in the first innings of a Test match, a rare feat that breaks a long-standing tradition in cricket.
The match started under unusual circumstances as fog delayed the play. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, setting the stage for this historic moment. Motie’s first delivery to Pakistan captain Shan Masood marked a significant shift for the West Indies, who are known for their fast-bowling dominance. This move was also influenced by the spin-friendly nature of the Multan pitch.
Motie is only the fifth West Indies spinner ever to open the bowling in a Test match, but the first to do so in the opening innings. His achievement also broke a 113-year-old record previously held by South Africa’s Aubrey Faulkner, who opened with spin in 1912. Motie delivered an impressive performance, taking 1 wicket for 34 runs in 12.1 overs.
The West Indies made key changes to their lineup, with Tevin Imlach stepping in as wicketkeeper in place of Joshua da Silva. On the other side, Pakistan introduced Mohammad Huraira, making his debut in place of the injured Saim Ayub.
The first day of the Test saw exciting moments as Pakistan recovered from a shaky start. At one point, Pakistan was struggling at 46-4, but the partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan turned the game around. Both players scored unbeaten half-centuries, with Shakeel making 56 and Rizwan contributing 51 runs. Their steady batting helped Pakistan reach 143-4 by the end of the day.
Jayden Seales shone for the West Indies with an outstanding bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for just 21 runs and creating early trouble for the Pakistani batting lineup. The day’s play was shortened due to fog, allowing only 41.3 overs to be bowled.
In another update, the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is set to return to Pakistan after completing its global tour. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, featuring eight teams. Matches will be held across Pakistan in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with some games in Dubai. The final is scheduled to take place in Lahore, with a reserve day allocated for weather-related disruptions.
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