In a remarkable achievement for West Indies cricket, Gudakesh Motie became the first spinner in 113 years to bowl the opening delivery in the first innings of a Test match. This historic moment unfolded during the first Test against Pakistan in Multan on January 17, 2025. The start of the match had been delayed due to foggy conditions, with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bat.
Both teams made changes to their lineups, with Tevin Imlach replacing Joshua da Silva as West Indies’ wicketkeeper, while Pakistan handed a debut to Mohammad Huraira in place of the injured Saim Ayub. The pitch, known for being spin-friendly, saw Motie take the ball to deliver the opening spell, a departure from the West Indies’ usual fast-bowling tactics.
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Motie’s opening delivery to Pakistan captain Shan Masood was not only a break from tradition but also a record-breaking moment. Prior to this, no West Indies spinner had ever bowled the first delivery in the first innings of a Test match. Motie’s performance further solidified his contribution, with figures of 1 wicket for 34 runs in 12.1 overs.
At the close of play on the first day, Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan guided their team to 143-4, both hitting unbeaten half-centuries. Their partnership helped Pakistan recover after being in a precarious position at 46-4, with Jayden Seales causing early damage with figures of 3-21.
In other cricket news, the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is set to return to Pakistan, with the tournament scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Matches will be held across Pakistan and Dubai, with the final in Lahore.
