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Many thanks to @Markhor for this excellent and detailed preview of the 2-Test match series between Pakistan and West Indies
The last time West Indies toured Pakistan for a Test series, both teams boasted an envious array of stars from Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Younis Khan. Despite signs of decline, memories of the glory years were still relatively fresh in 2006.
Now they lock horns in what can only be described as a Wooden Spoon Derby in a format occupying an increasingly marginal place in both cricketing nations.
Pakistan are fresh off another Southern Hemisphere whitewash at the hands of South Africa, but will fondly recall spinning England out in their last home series. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took 39 of the 40 wickets in Pakistan’s two victorious Tests, and the images of a greenhouse created to dry the Multan pitch leaves no uncertainty about Pakistan’s gameplan.
Opening Conundrum
The big question for Pakistan is the opening partnership after the devastating ankle injury to Saim Ayub during the Cape Town Test. Imam-ul-Haq’s recall brings experience and is expected to start although there could be a temptation to persist with Shan Masood and Babar Azam after their makeshift duo produced a record stand for a Pakistani pair in South Africa.
Mohammad Huraira has been touted heavily as a future prospect but his development has stalled after an outstanding first two domestic seasons, averaging just 33 and 29 in the 2023 and 2024 Quaid-e-Azam Trophies.
3 spinners Vs 2 seamers
Pakistan must also consider whether to play a third spinner in Abrar Ahmed or opt for two seamers – of which Khurram Shahzad is one of the likely candidates with Mohammad Abbas and Mir Hamza not surviving the post-South Africa cull.
The recall of Mohammad Ali and inclusion of uncapped Kashif Ali are yet more attempts to find a functioning seam attack. Pakistan often pays homage to its fast bowling legacy, but the lack of even one reliably fit seamer capable of maintaining a consistent pace and accurate channels is a damning indictment of current pace stocks and the PCB’s management of them. The decision to again exclude Shaheen Afridi suggests Pakistan’s upcoming white-ball commitments are the bigger priority for PCB.
West Indies have the edge in this department even without the two Josephs – Alzarri and Shamar. Kemar Roach brings bags of experience and has an excellent record against left handers. Jayden Seales has enjoyed an excellent start to his career and averaged just 20 last year for his 35 Test wickets.
Captains under pressure
Questions persist over Shan Masood and Kraigg Brathwaite with both desperately short of runs. Shan’s century in Cape Town has brought him temporary relief but an average of 30 after 40 Tests has arguably meant he’s been little more than a specialist captain, standing in until Pakistan find a long-term candidate.
Failure to knock over South Africa’s tail from advantageous positions in Centurion has added to a growing list of examples where Pakistan’s lack of ruthlessness has cost them Test matches with Shan’s captaincy bearing some responsibility.
Brathwaite has a better overall Test record but endured a wretched 2024 averaging just 20. For such an inexperienced batting lineup, West Indies cannot afford their captain to go missing.
West Indies Frail Middle Order
Since the retirement of Shivnarine Chanderpaul almost a decade ago, West Indies have tried, with little success, myriad of middle order batsmen.
Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge have only played a combined 24 Tests and none average 30. Uncapped Amir Jangoo may be given a debut. The left-hander from Trinidad averaged 100 in the 2024 First Class season and made a century on ODI debut recently vs Bangladesh showing skills against spin.
Pakistan have strong players of spin in Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha so while Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican and Kevin Sinclair are a capable spin attack – the home side are in a better position to negotiate them.
Fighting to avoid the Wooden Spoon
Pakistan and West Indies were once the unofficial World Test Championship series. A combination of internal politics, mismanagement, structural challenges, the emergence of franchise leagues and indifference by the sport’s governing body – who are happy to pay lip service to the legacies of these two once great cricket nations yet do little to preserve it – means they will now compete merely not to finish bottom of the table.
Despite fading fortunes, both teams have often produced compelling Test series with the last in 2021 ending 1-1. For the visitors that would be a good result but for Pakistan, anything less than a 2-0 win would be disappointing.
The last time West Indies toured Pakistan for a Test series, both teams boasted an envious array of stars from Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Younis Khan. Despite signs of decline, memories of the glory years were still relatively fresh in 2006.
Now they lock horns in what can only be described as a Wooden Spoon Derby in a format occupying an increasingly marginal place in both cricketing nations.
Pakistan are fresh off another Southern Hemisphere whitewash at the hands of South Africa, but will fondly recall spinning England out in their last home series. Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took 39 of the 40 wickets in Pakistan’s two victorious Tests, and the images of a greenhouse created to dry the Multan pitch leaves no uncertainty about Pakistan’s gameplan.
Opening Conundrum
The big question for Pakistan is the opening partnership after the devastating ankle injury to Saim Ayub during the Cape Town Test. Imam-ul-Haq’s recall brings experience and is expected to start although there could be a temptation to persist with Shan Masood and Babar Azam after their makeshift duo produced a record stand for a Pakistani pair in South Africa.
Mohammad Huraira has been touted heavily as a future prospect but his development has stalled after an outstanding first two domestic seasons, averaging just 33 and 29 in the 2023 and 2024 Quaid-e-Azam Trophies.
3 spinners Vs 2 seamers
Pakistan must also consider whether to play a third spinner in Abrar Ahmed or opt for two seamers – of which Khurram Shahzad is one of the likely candidates with Mohammad Abbas and Mir Hamza not surviving the post-South Africa cull.
The recall of Mohammad Ali and inclusion of uncapped Kashif Ali are yet more attempts to find a functioning seam attack. Pakistan often pays homage to its fast bowling legacy, but the lack of even one reliably fit seamer capable of maintaining a consistent pace and accurate channels is a damning indictment of current pace stocks and the PCB’s management of them. The decision to again exclude Shaheen Afridi suggests Pakistan’s upcoming white-ball commitments are the bigger priority for PCB.
West Indies have the edge in this department even without the two Josephs – Alzarri and Shamar. Kemar Roach brings bags of experience and has an excellent record against left handers. Jayden Seales has enjoyed an excellent start to his career and averaged just 20 last year for his 35 Test wickets.
Captains under pressure
Questions persist over Shan Masood and Kraigg Brathwaite with both desperately short of runs. Shan’s century in Cape Town has brought him temporary relief but an average of 30 after 40 Tests has arguably meant he’s been little more than a specialist captain, standing in until Pakistan find a long-term candidate.
Failure to knock over South Africa’s tail from advantageous positions in Centurion has added to a growing list of examples where Pakistan’s lack of ruthlessness has cost them Test matches with Shan’s captaincy bearing some responsibility.
Brathwaite has a better overall Test record but endured a wretched 2024 averaging just 20. For such an inexperienced batting lineup, West Indies cannot afford their captain to go missing.
West Indies Frail Middle Order
Since the retirement of Shivnarine Chanderpaul almost a decade ago, West Indies have tried, with little success, myriad of middle order batsmen.
Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge have only played a combined 24 Tests and none average 30. Uncapped Amir Jangoo may be given a debut. The left-hander from Trinidad averaged 100 in the 2024 First Class season and made a century on ODI debut recently vs Bangladesh showing skills against spin.
Pakistan have strong players of spin in Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha so while Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican and Kevin Sinclair are a capable spin attack – the home side are in a better position to negotiate them.
Fighting to avoid the Wooden Spoon
Pakistan and West Indies were once the unofficial World Test Championship series. A combination of internal politics, mismanagement, structural challenges, the emergence of franchise leagues and indifference by the sport’s governing body – who are happy to pay lip service to the legacies of these two once great cricket nations yet do little to preserve it – means they will now compete merely not to finish bottom of the table.
Despite fading fortunes, both teams have often produced compelling Test series with the last in 2021 ending 1-1. For the visitors that would be a good result but for Pakistan, anything less than a 2-0 win would be disappointing.
