PAK vs WI 1st Test 2021

 Preview

After the disappointment in the four-match T20I series, where three matches were washed out in Guyana, West Indies and Pakistan are now set to enter their first battle in the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Unfortunately for both sides, rain could well have a say in both Tests and could hamper their first steps.

The last time Pakistan were in the Caribbean, they clinched the three-match series 2-1 after a dramatic end to the final Testwhich ended with Shannon Gabriel's brain-fade moment. Pakistan managed to stage the perfect farewell for the retiring duo of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. Plenty has changed since then

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Misbah is now the head coach of Pakistan and chasing the target of series wins in West Indies both as a coach and a captain. Jason Holder is no longer the West Indies captain and the reins have been handed to Kraigg Brathwaite. Each Test now carries more significance given the WTC and both West Indies and Pakistan will look for improvements after a disappointing show in the inaugural cycle. Pakistan finished fifth ahead of West Indies as COVID-19 pandemic also played a part in their positions.

Babar Azam feels his side should guard against complacency as each and every point is going to count for them to make it to the final. Pakistan do start as favourites but things could change pretty drastically if they do have a poor start to the series.

West Indies vs Pakistan, 1st Test, 10am local time, 8pm PST

Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Expecting: Some amount of rain. Babar even went to the extent of urging authorities to look up alternatives so that matches are not affected too much by weather hindrances. The last Test at the venue was in 2019 when India hammered West Indies by 257 runs. The bowlers should expect some help from the track.

Team news:

West Indies: Chemar Holder and Shamarh Brooks have been recalled for the series while Gabriel continues with his injury recovery.

Probable XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope (wk), Kyle Mayers/Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder.

Pakistan: The visitors have named their 19-man squad for the series with Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz allowed to return home to spend time with their families.

Probable XI: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Nauman Ali/Mohammad Abbas, Faheem Ashraf/Naseem Shah.

News

"Quite a few players said they didn't get any work done in their home territories before they came to this camp and four-day game. It's disappointing to know they've gone home and there's nothing done. They have to come back and we've got to start from scratch when we get here, so it's a little disappointing" - Phil Simmons.

"Jamaican pitches provide a good challenge to the batters hence our batters need to come to the party and display their true potential and calibre in the two Tests. They have performed well this year and it is now time to take that confidence into the Test series and put up an improved and enhanced performance" - Babar
Azam.

Squads:

Pakistan Squad: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Abdullah Shafique, Nauman Ali, Haris Rauf, Zahid Mahmood, Shahnawaz Dhani, Sajid Khan

West Indies Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope(w), Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, Nkrumah Bonner, Jahmar Hamilton, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales, Joshua Da Silva