WEST Indies left-arm spin bowler Jomel Warrican enhanced his reputation with a record-breaking display in the opening Test match against Pakistan in Multan, even though the Caribbean side fell to a 127-run defeat inside three days.

Warrican’s impressive figures of 10-101, including 7-32 in Pakistan’s second innings, showcased his skill and determination.

Pakistan’s first-innings total of 230 runs was followed by a paltry 137 from the West Indies, leaving them with a significant first-innings deficit. Warrican’s efforts in the second innings gave his team a glimmer of hope as Pakistan were bowled out for 157. Needing an improbable 251 runs to win on a pitch that favoured spin bowlers from the opening day, the visiting team folded for 123.

Warrican’s delight was palpable as he reflected on his achievement.

“Getting that first wicket in Pakistan’s second innings was very important in setting the tone because we wanted to restrict them to a manageable total,” he said.

“We [didn’t] want to chase over 300 and so getting that wicket was very, very important. So, when I got those figures — seven wickets for 32 runs — it felt very special for me as I had put the team in a position to win,” the 32-year-old added.

Warrican’s five-wicket haul was a long-awaited milestone, and he described the feeling as “extremely special”.

“I finally got over the blocks, you know. I felt like I was stuck on four for the longest time, so when I got that five-wicket haul, it felt extremely special,” Warrican said.

Warrican’s match figures is the best by a West Indian in Pakistan and the third-best by a visiting bowler in that country.

“To get your first five or first 10-wicket haul and being in the record books — it all feels very, very special. For me, it’s an extremely good feeling, and hopefully we [will] get more going forward,” he said.

Despite the defeat, Warrican remains optimistic, urging his teammates to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger.

“We just need to keep our heads up and trust our game plans and the process,” he said.

“There’s no sense in going into a shell or being down on ourselves. There is something from this loss to learn, so take the learning opportunity and bring it into the next game and play better cricket,” he advised.

The second and final match of the series is set to begin on Saturday at Multan.

— Ruddy Allen