West Indies v Pakistan 1st Test, Preview: Visitors look to continue winning streak against the Caribbean

West Indies and Pakistan are all set to face-off a three-match series which starts on Friday (21 April). Pakistan would try to carry on their winning streak against West Indies as they haven’t lost a Test series against West Indies since 2001. They will be looking forward to continuing the momentum. On the other hand, West Indies would be looking change their fortune. They have been struggling to make a mark and had a horrendous ODI series against Pakistan.

Younis Khan, the leading run-getter for Pakistan, and Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s best captain, are all set to call it a day after three-match Test series against West-Indies. They both have served Pakistan for more than a decade and performed exceptionally well. Both of them will be looking to end their respective International careers with a bang.

West Indies will try and prove their stature at this level. With Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels not in the squad, the responsibility on Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieron Powell has definitely increased. West Indies will be hoping for better results in this series. They won their last Test match against Pakistan at Sharjah where Kraigg Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo had too much firepower which helped West Indies to upstage Pakistan. They will go into the opening Test hoping for the same result.

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and opted to field

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Abbas

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Vishaul Singh, Shane Dowrich(w), Roston Chase, Jason Holder(c), Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel

Focus will be on:

Misbah-ul-Haq:

The veteran and experienced player, The Pakistani skipper will be looking to lead his team from the front and get a string of big scores. Misbah has been the backbone of Pakistan batting line-up and would try to leave a benchmark. He is 49 runs short of 5000 Test runs and is expected to go past the landmark. He will be looking to end his Test career with another series win.

Younis Khan:

Younis Khan will be aiming to reach his personal milestone and become the first Pakistan cricketer to complete 10000 runs in Test cricket. Over a decade, he has been a pillar of Pakistan’s batting line-up and has provided stability to the middle order. He has played 207 innings and has scored 34 centuries, also has a unique record of scoring hundred against 11 test playing nation. He, with the Captain, will be stepping on the field for one last time. He would be looking to end his career with head held high.

Shannon Gabriel:

Shannon Gabriel made his International debut in 2012 against England. Shannon has been able to impress everyone with his skiddy pace and rhythm. Shannon has become a real leader with the ball in hand and has the skills to trouble a Pakistan batting lineup that is sketchy against seam bowling. He has played 23 matches and is one short of 50 wickets. With an economy of under 4, he definitely has a task to be performed for his side.

Kraigg Brathwaite:

Kraigg Brathwaite has been a consistent performer for West Indies for last year and half. The likes of Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels are not in the squad, which means, it will be an extra responsibility on his shoulder to build a foundation at the top and provide West Indies with a decent start. In 64 innings, he has scored over 2000 runs which include five tons and a double century. West Indies will be hoping the same results from him in this series as well.

Team Combination- Pakistan:

If Babar Azam makes the XI, the Pakistan- with Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan will look a formidable batting line-up. The bowling line up might see some replacement as Hasan Ali sustained an injury in a warm-up match which means, 27-year-old fast bowler, Mohammad Abbas can earn his first Test cap. Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir will have a work to do if Pakistan wishes to continue their winning momentum.

Team Combination-West Indies:

Leeward Island player, Kieran Powell earned a Test call after three long years. He will have a chance to prove his capabilities and will look to utilise the opportunity with both hands. Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer are also named in the 13 men squad for the first Test, after a good warm-up game against the visitors and are expected to be in eleven. The batting line-up looks strong on papers and has the ability to play long innings. On the other hand, Devendra Bishoo’s experience and Shannon Gabriel pace will play a major part in this Test match.

Stats and Trivia:

50- This match will be the 50^th Test match at Sabina Park.

5- Pakistan has won 5 Test series against West Indies since 2001.

106- Younis Khan scored 106 runs in the first innings against West Indies in 2005.

23- Younis Khan is 23 runs short to reach 10000 Test runs.

49- Misbah-ul-Haq is 49 runs short to reach 5000 Test runs