Pakistan v West Indies, 1st Test, Preview: Pakistan aim dominance in historic day-night Test

Pakistan will take on West Indies in the first ever day-night Test on the Asian soil. The historic match will be played at Dubai. The pink-ball Test will be the second ever day-night Test in the history of the game. The only striking difference the inaugural day-night Test and the one to be played at Dubai will be with the ball. The pink ball will have a black seam in order to increase the visibility.

Coming into the series, West Indies will look to overturn their miserable fortunes on the tour thus far. Having performed poorly in the ODIs and T20Is, they are yet to register a win on the tour. For Pakistan, it will be a case of continuing their good momentum in the oldest format. On one side, there is Pakistan who have had an exceptional Test series in England. And on the other end, there is West Indies that faced a Test drubbing at the hands of India at home. Pakistan will start the match as clear favorites.

Team News:

Pakistan

Pakistan will be bolstered by the spin duo of Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah. The spin twins are expected to have a major say in the 3-match Test series. They have tasted success in Test cricket recently under the leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah has been in great form in Test cricket. Younis Khan will miss out on the Test as he is recovering from Dengue fever. Asad Shafiq was impressive in England where he batted with the tail efficiently.

The ODI series witnessed the emergence of Babar Azam. Pakistan will hope for Azam to continue his form. He amassed 360 runs with 3 consecutive tons in ODIs. The pace bowling department looks settled with Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and Wahab Riaz among the wickets.

West Indies

West Indies have struggled against spin bowling and that might turn out to be fatal for them. They are yet to register a win on the tour. They will take pride from the way they gave some strong resistance in the last two Tests to India. Roston Chase was the standout performer for them with the ball and the bat. Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph have been running in well to the mark. However, with Shannon Gabriel in the side, one of them might sit out. Jermaine Blackwood’s attacking gameplay might just help West Indies counterattack the Pakistan spinners.

The West Indies camp looks low on confidence, though. They also have their reservations about the pink ball Test. Darren Bravo recently quoted, “I think most of the guys have complained about the fact that they’re not really able to pick up the seam that well.”

Probable XI:

Pakistan:

Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Zulfiqur Babar, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali

West Indies:

Kraigg Brathwaite, Leoh Johnson, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (C), Devendra Bishoo, Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins

Match Details:

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Time: 17:00 local 11:30 (GMT)

Stats:

1. Yasir Shah needs 5 more wickets to reach the 100 wickets mark in Test cricket. He has 95 wickets in 16 matches. If he gets those 5 wickets in this match, he will be the second fastest to take 100 wickets in Test cricket.

2. Kraigg Brathwaite needs 114 runs to complete 2000 runs in Test cricket.

3. Jermaine Blackwood needs 54 runs to complete 1000 runs in Test cricket.

4. Pakistan will play their 400th Test since playing their first Test in 1952.