WI vs PAK 1st Test: Will Babar Azam led Pakistan clinch Test series much like their T20I series win against Windies: While Pakistan had won the T20I series 1-0, neither Windies nor the visitors had their arms as the series saw three matches being completely washed out by the rain. With little to no cricket action offered in the white ball, the series proceeds to the red ball action where Pakistan and West Indies will lock horns in the two Tests at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.
Both the contending teams will be eyeing to put forth their best as they go on to play the very first Test of the second ICC World Test Championship. Though the baggage of their latest Test matches would still be on their mind, the opportunity is to learn from them and come stronger as they start afresh in the new edition of the WTC.
The venue of the two Tests- Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica will see the grass wither and pitch trod as cricket action at the venue resumes nearly after two years. August-September 2019 was the last that a cricket contest was played at the venue. Since then Sabina Park, Kingston has not witnessed any international matches across cricketing formats on its turf.
Match Details
Aug 12, Thu – Aug 16, Mon
WI vs PAK 1st Test: Pitch condition
With the geographical conditions of the venue- being the driest part of Kingston, Sabina Park had earlier been one of the hardest and fastest pitches in West Indies. This means that the turf was a boon for Windies high-arm tall bowlers back then.
Cut to now, the of late years have witnessed Sabina Park’s turf undergoing a massive metamorphosis. Unlike before, the surface has slowed down. Clearly, the turf will assist spin bowlers and will trouble the batsmen as will come slightly late on to the bat.
WI vs PAK 1st Test: Weather condition
As per myweather2.com, the venue will have a minimum temperature of 24 degrees and the maximum temperature can rise up to 38 degrees on August 12- the opening day of the first Test. Moreover, clouds will lade the sky on and off. The afternoon is predicted to have slight showers.
West Indies vs Pakistan Test Squads
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah (subject to fitness) and Zahid Mahmood
West Indies squad: Yet to be announced
Earlier, Pakistan’s right arm bowler- Hasan Ali reckoned, “We want to start the new ICC World Test Championship campaign with a win.”
Men in green’s pace bowler is proud of what their bowling contingent had done with the ball in the past. “Our bowling unit has given some good performances in the past. The coaches have trust in our abilities, we as a bowling unit have trust in our abilities and we are looking forward to doing well in the forthcoming matches. Look we have Yasir Shah back in the side along with Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah. We have good bowlers in our team who can perform well in these conditions,” Hasan added.
On an individual front, Hasan wishes to carry forward his form previous form in the upcoming Tests. “We are looking forward for the Test series. I will try to carry my form forward as my previous series with the red ball was also a good one.”
WI vs PAK 1st Test: Will Babar Azam led Pakistan clinch Test series much like their T20I series win against Windies
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