MULTAN, Pakistan, CMC – All of the prep work and crew planning will likely be out the window shortly because the West Indies cricket crew gears up for a long-awaited return to Pakistan’s Take a look at area, as they face off towards the hosts within the first of two matches on the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The primary ball is scheduled to be bowled at 12:30 a.m. Jamaica time (1:30 a.m. ECT). The encounter will mark the West Indies’ first Take a look at in Pakistan in additional than 18 years.
Nonetheless, the stakes transcend historical past. Each groups sit on the backside of the World Take a look at Championship standings, with Pakistan solely marginally forward.
For West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, the main focus is on delivering a efficiency that not solely lifts the crew but additionally units the tone for a robust begin to the 12 months.
“This collection is important for us. There are two Take a look at matches left on this cycle, and it’s additionally a brand new 12 months, so we need to begin sturdy. The principle factor, particularly for the batters, is to be courageous, belief in your plans, imagine in them, and execute,” mentioned Brathwaite.
The West Indies face some hurdles heading into the match as skilled pacer Kemar Roach has been sidelined as a result of sickness, and wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has been dropped.
Trinidadian Amir Jangoo, who impressed with a half-century in a current tour match, might make his Take a look at debut.
Head coach Andre Coley faces one other conundrum of batting Keacy Carty at quantity 4 or Tevin Imlach.
Brathwaite, in the meantime, is on the point of private milestones. He wants 99 runs to surpass Richie Richardson’s Take a look at tally and 149 to hitch the elite membership of West Indies batters who’ve scored 6,000 Take a look at runs.
One factor is for certain: spin will issue vastly. Sluggish bowlers Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, and Gudakesh Motie are anticipated to showcase their abilities in Multan. The host is ready to unleash three spinners, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Abrar Ahmed, of their ultimate eleven.
The final Take a look at match between these two sides in Multan, again in November 2006, was a run-fest. Over 5 days and 439 overs bowled, greater than 1,400 runs had been scored, and solely 27 wickets fell. With the venue anticipated to supply an analogous batting-friendly floor, Brathwaite urged his gamers to take inspiration from previous successes in comparable sub-continental circumstances.
“We gained a collection in Bangladesh, so there’s rather a lot we are able to take from these experiences. However on the finish of the day, that’s historical past. What has been key for the batsmen is to imagine, imagine, and be courageous.”