Pakistan (Commonwealth) _ When the West Indies start their first Test series in Pakistan in 19 years on Friday, Pakistan will try to use the powerful spin combination of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan to harass the visitors.
When England visited in October, Pakistan took advantage of home advantage by modifying the surfaces for slow bowling, ending a heartbreaking winless run with a 2-1 triumph.
Abrar Ahmed joins the team after Noman and Sajid played key roles, suggesting a three-pronged spin attack in the two-match series in Multan.
The last time the West Indies visited Pakistan was in 2006; however, international teams were put off after a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team three years later.
Before handing the reins over to white-ball coach Daren Sammy in April, Andre Coley is leading a West Indies side that has only won two of its previous 13 Test matches.
“It’s a new series, a new chance,” Coley said to media when the squad landed last week. It’s not just the talent of the opponent that creates tests in Test cricket; it’s also the many conditions, settings, and game scenarios.”
By making the audacious choice to bench pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah and star batsman Babar Azam, Pakistan’s selectors won the match against England.
The series was won by left-arm spinner Noman and off-spinner Sajid, who shared 39 of 40 England wickets on fields that were dried with fans and cooked with patio heaters following the first match’s defeat.
After Pakistan lost their first six games under his leadership, captain Shan Masood observed, “We bounced back well against England,” in a series that saved his reputation.
“We performed well despite having our backs to the wall. Following his team’s 2-0 loss in South Africa last week, he declared, “We need to learn how to land the first punch.” Shaheen and Naseem are still out in an effort to manage their workloads, while Azam has returned to his position.
The return of seasoned Imam-ul-Haq is possible since opener Saim Ayub is recovering from a calf injury he suffered in South Africa, while his partner Abdullah Shafique is benched due to poor play.
The West Indies will use left-armers Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, and Gudakesh Motie to counter Pakistan’s spin attack. In Shamar Joseph’s absence due to a shin injury and Alzarri Joseph’s decision to play T20 cricket in the United Arab Emirates, Kemar Roach will lead the pace attack.
The series will determine which team finishes last in the World Test Championship standings when the second Test begins on January 25. The West Indies are now ranked ninth and last, while Pakistan is ranked eighth.
Despite Australia’s shocking defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane last year, South Africa and Australia have already advanced to the WTC final in June at Lord’s.
The West Indies will use left-armers Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, and Gudakesh Motie to counter Pakistan’s spin attack.
In Shamar Joseph’s absence due to a shin injury and Alzarri Joseph’s decision to play T20 cricket in the United Arab Emirates, Kemar Roach will lead the pace attack. The series will determine which team finishes last in the World Test Championship standings when the second Test begins on January 25.
The West Indies are now ranked ninth and last, while Pakistan is ranked eighth. Despite Australia’s shocking defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane last year, South Africa and Australia have already advanced to the WTC final in June at Lord’s.
Saim Ayub, Pakistan’s in-form opening batsman, may miss up to six weeks of competitive cricket due to a fractured right ankle sustained during the series in South Africa. Muhammad Huraira, who made half-centuries in both innings during the three-day warm-up match against the West Indies in Islamabad, will take Ayub’s spot.
This WTC cycle, the West Indies has yet to secure a series victory. It has drawn 1-1 with Bangladesh and Australia and lost to South Africa, England, and India.
Kraigg Brathwaite, the squad’s captain, was optimistic that his team will end the WTC cycle strong, nevertheless.