PAK vs WI: Gudakesh Motie Creates History with New Ball for West Indies

West Indies made history in Multan on the first day of the opening Test against Pakistan, breaking with tradition in a way that stunned cricket fans worldwide. For the first time in their long and illustrious Test history, spanning 582 matches, West Indies opened a Test match with a spinner.

Gudakesh Motie Scripts History

After Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite handed the new ball to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. This decision marked a historic moment for the Caribbean side, as they had never begun a Test match with spin before.

In all previous instances of West Indies using a spinner to open the bowling, it had occurred only in the third or fourth innings of a game. The last such instance was Veerasammy Permaul against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2021 during the third innings.

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Instances of Spinners Opening the Bowling for West Indies in a Test Match:

• Sonny Ramadhin vs England at The Oval, 1950 (3rd innings)
• Rahkeem Cornwall vs Bangladesh in Mirpur, 2021 (4th innings)
• Rahkeem Cornwall vs Sri Lanka in Galle, 2021 (3rd innings)
• Veerasammy Permaul vs Sri Lanka in Galle, 2021 (3rd innings)
• Gudakesh Motie vs Pakistan in Multan, 2025 (1st innings)*

Motie’s Impactful Spell

Brathwaite’s gamble with Motie yielded immediate results. The left-arm spinner dismissed Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood in the ninth over of the match, setting the tone for a competitive game.

This was not only a milestone for West Indies but also a rare occurrence in modern cricket. Over the last 12 years, there have been only three other instances of a spinner bowling the first ball of a Test match:

• Sajid Khan against England in Rawalpindi, 2024
• Taijul Islam against Afghanistan in Chattogram, 2019
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz against Sri Lanka in Mirpur, 2018

A Bold Move for the Future

Gudakesh Motie’s unique contribution has etched his name in West Indies cricket history. The decision to open with spin demonstrates the evolving strategies in Test cricket, where tradition gives way to experimentation. With this historic feat, the West Indies team has showcased their willingness to innovate and adapt to modern challenges.

As the match unfolds, the impact of this historic decision will be watched closely, adding yet another chapter to the storied rivalry between Pakistan and the West Indies.

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