The first Test at Multan lasted less than three days, making it the shortest-ever Test with a result in Pakistan. The hosts took a 93-run lead after dismissing the Windies for 137, who were then set a target of 251 for their first win in Pakistan in 35 years.

However, the Pakistan spinners, who bowled all 36.3 overs in their second innings, were on top of their game, with Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed sharing nine wickets among them. Noman Ali, who bowled 10 overs and got Justin Greaves’ wicket was the other contributor.

The first innings too had seen plenty of assistance for the slower bowlers, with Sajid opening the attack. He scalped 4-65 on that occasion, ending with a match-haul of nine wickets after grabbing 5-50 in the second. Khurram Shahzad was the only pacer who bowled in the game - sending down one over with the new ball in the first innings - before the spinners took over.

It has been a trend that Pakistan have been following since the second Test against England last year. After losing the first Test, Pakistan’s decision to play on the same wicket in Multan – dried further with the help of large fans – for the next was questioned but it was followed by a resounding win. The third Test in Rawalpindi was dried out too, while giant heaters warmed up the pitch for the recent West Indies game to remove any excess moisture.

All 60 wickets in the last three Tests have fallen to spinners as Pakistan seem to have found a formula for home victories following an abysmal period of 11 winless games. As a result, Masood, who also oversaw a series loss against Bangladesh, is not too perturbed with discussions about the wicket: “We will do what we need to take 20 wickets and win the match," Masood said. "We don't even play domestic cricket in these conditions. It's a new thing for us as well. We changed it during the England series because we wanted our team to win. We should appreciate the hard work of our bowlers, who got us 20 wickets consistently."

In the last three home Tests, only two Pakistan batters have made hundreds. Only Saud Shakeel averages above 35 in this period, but Masood asked for “flexibility” from the viewers in how they think about the game.

“We can't pit our bowlers and batters against each other. If you're looking individually at the batters, it doesn't make for good reading. But our batters batted better than West Indies, and better than England's batters in October. If you just look at hundreds and fifties and judge them by raw numbers, then it'll be misleading. Just like we'll have to be flexible with our playing style, viewers will also need to be flexible in their thinking. Look at India's blueprint and their averages at home and you'll get the point. If conditions are flat, getting 20 wickets is hard. We've sacrificed individual milestones for team results."

On being asked whether it is an approach that Pakistan will carry forward with them, he said: “There will be oppositions where we feel we can prepare seam-friendly pitches. Then fast bowlers will get the opportunity to get wickets like the spinners got here. We need to work on how we can progress as a team. A WTC is a two-year cycle, so fast bowlers will come into it. We have away series in England and the West Indies with the Dukes ball. When a subcontinent team comes here, we may prepare seam-friendly wickets. Over the bigger picture, no one's role is being diminished."

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