Fully vaccinated cricket lovers will finally have the chance to witness live action between Pakistan and West Indies from 11.00 hours today. The action at the National Stadium, Providence will be the first international match at the venue since India played in 2019.
The contest will bring back some amount of normalcy with 40 percent of the 15,000-capacity stadium being allowed in due to the COVID-19 measures agreed to between Cricket West Indies, the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Cricket Board.
The first of the four-match series was abandoned Tuesday due to rain after West Indies made 85 for five in their nine over allotment. The series will see the rest of the matches played in Guyana.
The spotlight will be on the pitch and outfield with West Indies captain, Kieron Pollard, not holding back on his criticism of the Oval pitch in Barbados for the 50-over series.
While the two sides have not faced each other on the traditionally spin-friendly Providence pitch in T20s, their 50-over record at the venue sits even at 3-3. However, in the format, Pakistan holds the upper hand with 11 wins in 14 completed encounters.
The men in green are also entering the series in superb form, winning three of their last four series comprehensively.
West Indies have been a tad inconsistent with victories in three of their five most recent series, though there were no consecutive series wins for the Maroon men.
West Indies’ batting has been the topic of discussion leading up to their title defence later this year with the side unable to produce consistently despite the big names and power hitting capabilities.
Nicholas Pooran has a best of 32 not out this year with a strike rate of 111 from his 12 innings while Shimron Hetmyer has a slightly better strike rate of 120 for 2021 with a solid 61, his best score. However, his next five innings has produced 82 and saw him slip further down the batting order.
The selection of the 41-year-old Chris Gaylecontinues to be questionable especially batting at the number three position. He has shown a glimmer of his past brutality when he scored a scorching 67 but has 131 runs in a dozen more outings this year with a strike rate of just 120.
The top order inconsistencies are somewhat cushioned by their highest ranked batsman Evin Lewis, who continues to be the shining light among the grey skies.
The opener has chalked up three half centuries this year and boosts a strike rate of 174 while his opening partner,Lendl Simmons, has shown his ability to play spin well and rotate the strike to facilitate Lewis’ big hitting exploits.
Simmons, consequently could miss out and make room for Andre Fletcher after suffering a nasty blow to the head and being forced to retired in the first match.
With the middle order inconsistent, a lot is often left on the shoulders of Pollard. Already with two half centuries from his last six innings, Pollard’s big hitting has been subdued due to his role being reverted from explosive to constructive as he is often forced to rebuild from a collapsing middle order.
Nevertheless, should the batting fire, West Indies could potentially cripple any bowling attack especially with the likes of Andre Russell and Jason Holder still to come.
On the other hand, Pakistan have shown they’re in for the fight with the return of Hasan Ali to boost their armory.
The right arm seamer accounted for two wickets in the curtailed affair to bring his T20I tally to 51 and is well supported by their highest ranked bowler, Shaheen Afridi as well as debutant, Mohammad Wasim.
Their spin department is also vastly experienced with the likes of former captain, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan and dangerous leg spinner, Usman Qadir who is closely following in the footsteps of his father, Abdul Qadir who many consider to be the greatest Pakistan spinner. Both Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz could also be a handful with their left-arm spin in the conditions while providing depth in the batting order.
Their batting has also been equally up to the challenge with two batsmen in their line up ranked among the top 10.
Skipper, Babar Azam leads the way with a century and three fifties in 2021 so far. He has also shown a likeness for West Indies with 403 runs in 10 innings with three half centuries and a strike rate of 125. In the Caribbean, the right hander’s strike rate dips to 103 and The West Indies is the only host nation he hasn’t scored at least a half century against.
Another Pakistan batsman that could pose a threat to West Indies is Mohammad Rizwan. The 29-year-old is having an impressive year so far with seven of his eight half centuries coming in 2021 as well as his maiden century in the format. His strike rate is equally impressive at 140 while currently averaging 100.8 from 13 innings including six not outs scores.
Rizwan is expected to open with Sharjeel Khan who had earned an international call back after five years on the back of an outstanding Pakistan Premier League but in his two innings so far his strike rate of 98 and tally of 28 does not stand out.
The trio, complemented by Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman and company to be a formidable batting line up and a challenge for the West Indies bowlers.
The bowling has been the standout for West Indies over the years and led brilliantly by death-bowling specialist, Dwayne Bravo.
The year 2021 has already been the most productive year for the right arm pacer who picked up 15 of his 74 wickets. With his batting also a factor, West Indies are filled with pace-bowling all-rounders including Pollard, Holder and Russell.
Left-arm pacer, Obed McCoy has shown development since his return this year with 18 wickets this year, including two four-wicket hauls. His form could mean the more experienced left-arm quick; Sheldon Cottrell would be on the bench with just five wickets in his four matches this year. The other two pacers available to West Indies are the slingy, Fidel Edwards and steamy Oshane Thomas.
Alternately, West Indies could be inclined to go with a spin-based attack complementing the pacers by including local off-spinner Kevin Sinclair to support left-arm spinner, Akeal Hosein and leg spinner, Hayden Walsh Jr.
