With all series now having greater significance and going towards World Test Championship points, many fans will be invested in this two match series between the West Indies and Pakistan. The West Indies have had an up-and-down home summer, particularly in the red-ball game, where they missed out on some chances to close out wins against Sri Lanka back in April, and their back to back losses against South Africa in June exposed some issues with their batting order as they failed to pass 200 in any of their four innings in the series. Pakistan won the only T20 international that was able to be completed against the West Indies, but have some scars since their demoralising ODI loss against a second-string England team last month. They dominated their last Test series against Zimbabwe, however this will be a much sterner challenge for Pakistan away from home.
For the West Indies, their bowling form was encouraging against South Africa with Kemar Roach leading the attack and taking nine wickets at 17.88, with fine support from Jason Holder, Jayden Seales and Kyle Mayers. Unfortunately their batting never gave them a chance, with no batsman making more than vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood’s 88 in four innings. The now-established batting line-up that includes captain Kraigg Brathwaite and veteran Roston Chase, as well as new-comers Kyle Mayers and Nkumrah Bonner, needs to step up on home soil. Joshua Da Silva and Jason Holder at seven and eight make for a long West Indies middle to lower order but they need more solid platforms to be set for them if they are to make a big impact on either of these two Tests.
In comparison to their opponents Pakistan are coming off a 2-0 series win at home over South Africa, as well as their comfortable series win in Zimbabwe, and will feel their batsmen have a greater weight of runs and confidence leading into these red-ball fixtures. Born again middle order batsman Fawad Alam has been at the forefront of this, scoring three centuries since late last year, while Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Abid Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have all averaged close to 50 so far in 2021. Babar Azam may have only passed 50 in Test cricket once this year, however the West Indies will be on notice as his reputation as part of the “Big 5” in world batsmen continues to grow.
In the bowling department Pakistan will be pleased with their performances over their last four Tests, taking 20 wickets in all of them and going on to win. Hasan Ali has been the leader by a big margin this year, taking 26 wickets including a 10 wicket haul against Zimbabwe this year, with strong support from left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinners Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali. With the support of Mohammad Abbas on this tour, they look a polished line-up that will test the struggling West Indian batting line-up.
On recent form this First Test looks to be in Pakistan’s favour, however home conditions and experience will play a big role in the West Indies opposition to the Pakistani bowling attack, particularly their in-form pacemen. With vital WTC points up for grabs this series is set to be an exciting and well-balanced one to close out the West Indian summer.
Russ Haylock Sportswriting 