West Indies will take on Pakistan in the second Test of the series to win their first series in WTC 2021-23.
Match Timings: Aug 20, 8:30 PM IST
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Pakistan and West Indies will meet again for the final time in the 2-match Test series. It will be the final international game for Windies this home summer. Both sides appeared in a thrilling encounter in opening Test and West Indies held the nerves by one-wicket victory. It was a pure fightback from Pakistan as they came close to defend 168 in the fourth innings.
West Indies and Pakistan both had poor performances in WTC 2019-21 so this game will be important for them to earn some points in WTC 2021-23. It’s a first away assignment for Pakistan in WTC and if they lose another game, it might hurt them later in the tournament.
Pakistan saw some poor intent with their batting. Babar looked solid in 2nd innings with a fine half-century but he couldn’t convert it into big. Pakistan scored 217 runs in the first innings when the pitch was good to bat on. Bowlers still did a good job by restricting hosts on 254. The first innings lead hurt Pakistan in 2nd innings and West Indies got the target of 168. Pakistan were on the driver’s seat at one stage but some dropped catches cost them to match. Roach played a fine knock under pressure and Blackwood also provided a base with a fine half-century. Babar will have a big responsibility to deliver in Test. Babar’s numbers in Tests aren’t so convincing but Rizwan has been a standout performer. Pakistan might play with two spinners to make full use of the pitch. If they lose, it will be their fourth consecutive away-series loss in WTC.
Meanwhile, West Indies made a big change this year when they replaced the captaincy with Brathwaite and it worked out very well. They won a historic series in Bangladesh and were also part of a historic chase. It was the second Test where they produced another fine victory under pressure. They recently lost to South Africa at home and now, they can eye a series victory against Pakistan. West Indies were not favourites when the series started but they were surprised with quality bowling and fine batting display.
Pakistan has won 20 Tests and West Indies have 18 wins in head-to-head matches. When they last met in a series in 2017, Pakistan clinched the series 2-1 but now the table has been turned in favour of the Windies. Pakistan can bounce back and they can also make changes in their batting lineup.
Pitch Report
Kingston’s surface is slightly similar to Sabina Park. We might expect little bit of help from bowlers. Batting would be easier on the first two to three days. Spinners might take control of the game on the final two days. Batting in 4th innings will be the toughest task.
Possible XI
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kieran Powell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
Pakistan
Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi
Key Players
West Indies
Jason Holder
Kraigg Brathwaite
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam
