Pakistan to play 5 T20Is and 2 Tests on tour of the West Indies (21 July to 24 August, 2021)

[MenInG]

Lahore, 14 May 2021: Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed its men’s national cricket team’s tour to the West Indies, which will take place from 21 July to 24 August and comprise five T20 Internationals and two Tests.

The tour, which will take place following the conclusion of the ODI and T20I series in England, will commence with back-to-back T20Is in Barbados on 27 and 28 July, before action will move to Guyana for the 31 July and 1 August back-to-back T20Is, and series finale on 3 August.

After a two-day practice match on 6-7 August in Guyana, the side will move to Jamaica where the two Tests will be held at Sabina Park from 12-16 August and 20-24 August.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “The tour to the West Indies is always a valued and prized tour for the Pakistan cricket teams. The Caribbean cricket history, backed up by the excellent playing facilities, supporting crowds and great ambiance, encourages and motivates the players to produce their very best.

“In consultation with the Cricket West Indies and keeping an eye on this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, we have agreed to replace one Test match with two additional T20Is. This is aimed at providing further T20 content for both teams, as we continue to prepare and build-up to the global ICC event.

“The series in the West Indies is part of a gruelling but exciting and entertaining season of cricket for Pakistan. In addition to playing England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and the T20 World Cup and the away series, we will be hosting New Zealand, England, West Indies and Australia in the next eight months. This makes every series important and critical for our side as we aspire to feature in the top three across all formats by 2023.”

On their last tour to the Caribbean in 2017, Pakistan won their maiden Test series 2-1. This provided a perfect farewell to Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, who played 276 and 408 international matches, respectively, during their illustrious careers.

Both will return to the Caribbean in coaching roles with Misbah as head coach and Younis as batting coach.

Overall, this will be ninth Test series between the two sides in the Caribbean since 1957-58 with the sixth-ranked home side leading the fifth-ranked visitors by 4-1.

At Sabina Park alone, both the sides are tied at 2-all with the West Indies winning the 1957- 58 and 1976-77 Tests by an innings and 174 runs and 140 runs, respectively. However, Pakistan won the last two Tests in 2004-05 and 2016-17 by 136 runs and seven wickets, respectively.

On a head-to-head in T20Is series in the West Indies, Pakistan lead the T20 world champions by 2-1. West Indies won the one-off match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in 2010-11, before Pakistan won the 2013-14 and 2016-17 by 2-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Tour itinerary:

 

[Markhor]

In consultation with the Cricket West Indies and keeping an eye on this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, we have agreed to replace one Test match with two additional T20Is.

I was looking forward to a proper three Test match series. This is the height of foolishness when we've had 7 T20s vs South Africa recently, 3 vs Zimbabwe, got 5 planned vs England home and away.

How much more practice do our T20 side need ?

 

[Hasan123]

So called good guys and victims of world cricket cut a test match to play more T20s.

You can hate on the big 3 all you want. They are at least trying to keep test cricket alive. All the rest of the boards want to look after themselves and get as much revenue as possible. Let's not try to act like all boards aren't the same. Big 3 and the rest of the boards only do things for the part that benefit themselves.

 

[Rafa]

Oh what a shame..was looking forward to 3 Tests v/s WI .it would have been an exciting proper contest, was no need for another T20s.

 

[Ami]

So called good guys and victims of world cricket cut a test match to play more T20s.

You can hate on the big 3 all you want. They are at least trying to keep test cricket alive. All the rest of the boards want to look after themselves and get as much revenue as possible. Let's not try to act like all boards aren't the same. Big 3 and the rest of the boards only do things for the part that benefit themselves.

If the Blag 3 had shown some responsibilty the lesser boards wouldnt need to pack up their schedule with T20s to make ends meet.

 

[Titan24]

I was really looking forward to the first 3 match test series since the Pak tour of Eng but, would take a tour at least taking place in these difficult times around the world.

As per my understanding was the request from the home board (WICB) just like the 4th T20 was the request from CSA. To be honest cant blame WICB and CSA as they were having some financial troubles even before the pandemic and this year with the World T20 also taking place it made sense from their side.

Well atleast for home series Pak can decide for themselves so hopefully in the upcoming cycle we will se more 3 match home test series.

 

[Hasan123]

If the Blag 3 had shown some responsibilty the lesser boards wouldnt need to pack up their schedule with T20s to make ends meet.

It's not the big 3 responsibility to help out other boards. The other boards are on there knees to play the big 3 because the revenue generated benefits them.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Seriously be ashamed of yourselves beyond stupid dropping a test for extra t20s

 

[Hasan123]

If West Indies have their full strength team, they are the favourite for the T20s. The tests will be much closer to call. I am more excited for the tests, I would have preferred 3 tests tbh.

 

[Maher96]

Was always on the cards with a t20 World Cup ahead. Means West Indies will be looking to try more players than in a 3 match series.

 

[Afhan Ali]

Wasim Khan is not better than Other PCB bosses. But yes he talk very bigger than others. We are still playing 2 tests and Wasim Khan has completed two years in the office

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Really disappointed to see 2 Tests instead of 3. Pakistan will have to be on their A game because anything less than a series win would be a massive disappointment.

The one thing that I am happy about is that we are not playing any Test matches in Barbados, where we have never won.

 

[Majestic]

The focus seems to be on T20s because of T20 World Cup.

 

[UzmanBeast]

If West Indies have their full strength team, they are the favourite for the T20s. The tests will be much closer to call. I am more excited for the tests, I would have preferred 3 tests tbh.

The issue is that they hardly ever have their full strength squad available.

One of Pollard or Russell always gets injured, and then there's the issue of their own players not playing for their country.

If West Indies have Pooran, Pollard, Gayle, Hetmeyer, Russell, and guys like Fabian Allen, it could be goodnight for Pakistan.

I think Pakistan should really consider Wahab Riaz for these West Indian pitches, because none of our current bowlers can bowl a better bouncer than Wahab. From my understanding, all of these West Indian players feast on full deliveries, and the likes of Shaheen and Rauf only know how to bowl full.

It will take some solid performances to beat a full-strength West Indies team, because if they are on song, they will demolish us. They are their biggest enemy.

 

[Farabi]

The issue is that they hardly ever have their full strength squad available.

One of Pollard or Russell always gets injured, and then there's the issue of their own players not playing for their country.

If West Indies have Pooran, Pollard, Gayle, Hetmeyer, Russell, and guys like Fabian Allen, it could be goodnight for Pakistan.

I think Pakistan should really consider Wahab Riaz for these West Indian pitches, because none of our current bowlers can bowl a better bouncer than Wahab. From my understanding, all of these West Indian players feast on full deliveries, and the likes of Shaheen and Rauf only know how to bowl full.

It will take some solid performances to beat a full-strength West Indies team, because if they are on song, they will demolish us. They are their biggest enemy.

All of these guys you mentioned have struggled against Pakistan. Just go and pull their T20I record against Pak.
Pakistan has always dominated WI with spin. Pakistan should bank on the likes of Qadir, Zahid, Nawaz who will be more than enough to pack WI line-up.
Wahab will be cannon fodder in at least 2 of the 5 games as always.

 

[Hasan123]

The issue is that they hardly ever have their full strength squad available.

One of Pollard or Russell always gets injured, and then there's the issue of their own players not playing for their country.

If West Indies have Pooran, Pollard, Gayle, Hetmeyer, Russell, and guys like Fabian Allen, it could be goodnight for Pakistan.

I think Pakistan should really consider Wahab Riaz for these West Indian pitches, because none of our current bowlers can bowl a better bouncer than Wahab. From my understanding, all of these West Indian players feast on full deliveries, and the likes of Shaheen and Rauf only know how to bowl full.

It will take some solid performances to beat a full-strength West Indies team, because if they are on song, they will demolish us. They are their biggest enemy.

I think most of the WI players will be available as there is no IPL and they will want international practice for the World T20. Their squad for the Sri Lankan T20s recently was strong.

If we are going to persist with Rauf, I don’t see a need for Wahab. I think West Indies will enjoy pace coming onto the bat in any case.

 

[Farabi]

I think most of the WI players will be available as there is no IPL and they will want international practice for the World T20. Their squad for the Sri Lankan T20s recently was strong.

If we are going to persist with Rauf, I don’t see a need for Wahab. I think West Indies will enjoy pace coming onto the bat in any case.

Yup. The SL/WI series was low scoring. SL spinners Dhananjiya and Samaraweera dominated WI

 

[Shaka81]

Glad to see there's 5 T20s. Hopefully all the top West Indies players are there so we get to see where Pakistan stands against some of the best players in the world.

 

[ChTab]

5 T20's

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

It's good that they have reduced one Test. Tests in WI are damn boring as seen in the recent series of SL vs WI.

 

[King_Kohli]

5 T20's

Treat to watch if Pakistan going to play against full strength WI team.
Gayle, Russel, Pollard, Bravo, Hetmyer, Pooram and Sunil Narine......not sure how many will play.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I think most of the WI players will be available as there is no IPL and they will want international practice for the World T20. Their squad for the Sri Lankan T20s recently was strong.

If we are going to persist with Rauf, I don’t see a need for Wahab. I think West Indies will enjoy pace coming onto the bat in any case.

I can understand why we'd want to persist with Rauf, but my issue is the third pacer. Hasan Ali hasn't convinced me in T20 cricket yet, because playing against weak opposition doesn't really show if he's capable of bowling well.

But then again, Wahab is a scattergun as well, so we're taking a gamble on either him or Rauf.

A strong West Indies T20 squad means that they will look to dominate us. They will have learned that making spinning tracks did not help them against Sri Lanka, so I'd expect flat roads throughout the 5 games, which spells trouble for Pakistan.

 

[UzmanBeast]

All of these guys you mentioned have struggled against Pakistan. Just go and pull their T20I record against Pak.
Pakistan has always dominated WI with spin. Pakistan should bank on the likes of Qadir, Zahid, Nawaz who will be more than enough to pack WI line-up.
Wahab will be cannon fodder in at least 2 of the 5 games as always.

WI aren't dumb enough to make tracks that even remotely assist spinners after that Sri Lankan series.

Expect flat roads as I mentioned above. On a flat road, I can only imagine what will come of Pakistan's bowlers.

 

[Firebat]

This series is coming at the end of a packed summer for Windies. They'll have played 15 games in the previous 1.5 months against South Africa and Australia, with the Pakistan series starting 3 days after the final Australia match.

They'll surely be jaded mentally and physically, which should work in our favour.

 

[Titan24]

WI aren't dumb enough to make tracks that even remotely assist spinners after that Sri Lankan series.

Expect flat roads as I mentioned above. On a flat road, I can only imagine what will come of Pakistan's bowlers.

Inherent nature of the wickets can only be molded a bit but, cant be completely changed. Even if one looks at CPL (Premier T20 tournament of WI), the average scores aren't that high. Ofcourse like any other country they would prefer flatter tracks with good pace and even bounce in the wicket but, they cant even completely achieve that in CPL itself.

 

[Titan24]

This series is coming at the end of a packed summer for Windies. They'll have played 15 games in the previous 1.5 months against South Africa and Australia, with the Pakistan series starting 3 days after the final Australia match.

They'll surely be jaded mentally and physically, which should work in our favour.

Or they will be better prepared and ready after playing so much cricket.

Though Pak will also be coming after playing Eng but obviously not as much cricket going into the series as WI.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Without TWO leagues, expect a very entertaining T20Is games.

Of course, unless Covid...

 

[Bhaijaan]

Pakistan vs West Indies in white ball cricket has been a great tussle over the last many years. I would look forward to it. Good time pass.

If Pakistan is playing white ball cricket, I only can watch them play India, West Indies. Rest of the matches do not appeal at all to me.

 

[Gayle_Force]

Two things:

- as mentioned earlier in this thread, this series quite clearly ends the argument that Big 3 are the reason behind decline in test matches amongst the bottom 5 teams. It is clearly a lack of interest.

- I wonder if the people advocating for more tests would even sit down and watch all five days of the two test matches that are planned for this series.

 

[Zaz]

Absurd set of fixtures How is this team supposed to become a better if the administrators are organising 2 test series and no odis

This overdose on t20s is pathetic and serves no purpose for our cricket to improve

Is there any surprise we play like a minnow when our fixtures are organised like this?

 

[El Generico]

If a full strength WI plays then it will be a fun contest especially in T20s.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I was looking forward to a proper three Test match series. This is the height of foolishness when we've had 7 T20s vs South Africa recently, 3 vs Zimbabwe, got 5 planned vs England home and away.

How much more practice do our T20 side need ?

To be fair, it's not a settled T20 side at all with the middle order being a big question. I'm not even sure they know what bowlers to go with.

One fewer Test does suck but it does help with Shaheen and Hasan's workload a bit.

 

[Nasty Naz]

With all these practice matches vs WI, maybe Pakistan can manage to finally not get thoroughly embarrassed by WI in the World Cup... again. I still can't get over how shockingly bad those 15' and 19' WC performances were.

 

[hitthestump]

Absurd set of fixtures How is this team supposed to become a better if the administrators are organising 2 test series and no odis

This overdose on t20s is pathetic and serves no purpose for our cricket to improve

Is there any surprise we play like a minnow when our fixtures are organised like this?

Fans ought to make their voices heard that we don't want an overkill of JAMLOI's even if it is a t20 year. 5 matches is ridiculous.

I hope they slightly redeem themselves by taking a very big squad for the t20's where we see a lot of opportunities for fringe players.

 

[Firebat]

We already play such little Tests, barely any 3 match series, and now this. We are a full T20 nation now I guess, so depressing.

 

[daytrader]

Being a wc year this isn't so bad. Hopefully we can figure out the middle order woes in time

 

[UzmanBeast]

Inherent nature of the wickets can only be molded a bit but, cant be completely changed. Even if one looks at CPL (Premier T20 tournament of WI), the average scores aren't that high. Ofcourse like any other country they would prefer flatter tracks with good pace and even bounce in the wicket but, they cant even completely achieve that in CPL itself.

True but I'd expect them to make the pitches flatter than the ones against Sri Lanka. Our spinners will have to bowl well to get wickets.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I expect Pakistan to win the tests comfortably. West Indies looked very mediocre in the series against Lanka

 

[Last Monetarist]

Pakistan have a complete minnow mentality when it comes to organizing international fixtures, it's been the case since the 90s. They deserve to be treated as a low quality team by the Big 3 because of the PCB's short-term opportunism and lack of foresight.

 

[cornered paktiger]

Very disappointing to see another 2 test series - it will be the 7th out of 8 series which are 2 test series (the exception being the tour of England last year). Sadly has become the norm now and hard to see how the team will get better or improve while only playing 6-8 tests per year maximum.

Series between the top 8 teams ought to be 3-3-3 between each format though I’d happily see T20s being limited to domestic formats etc though that horse has long bolted.

And yes I (and many others) would happily watch or follow all 5 days of the series and would happily watch one of the tests if travel restrictions permitted though Jamaica isn’t an appealing destination. But imagine no spectators will be permitted as otherwise the tests would have been shared between different islands.

My only hope is the series is entertaining and the Windies prepare bouncy tracks and use duke balls like they did when England toured several years back in a successful effort to revitalise tests which for too long have been played in moribund tracks and kookaburra balls in the Windies.

 

[PakLFC]

Organise a big tour some where like 5 ODI's and 5 tests. These small tours don't do us any good.

 

[iniqbal223]

Again , good for Misbah;;

All the bashing by WI will be gone under the carpet as in T20 any team can beat any one

 

[Firebat]

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel announces a provisional 18-man squad ahead of the three back-to-back five-match T20 International (T20I) Series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.

The expanded squad maintains the blend of experienced players with exciting young talent as the West Indies continue preparations in the build up to the defence of their ICC T20 World Cup title, to be held in India in October-November 2021. Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jr. return alongside the majority of the squad who featured in the 2-1 T20I Series victory against Sri Lanka in March.

The provisional squad will quarantine and train in St. Lucia ahead of the first T20I Series against South Africa starting on the June 26 at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium. The official squad will subsequently be selected and announced ahead of each Series.

CWI’s Lead Selector, Roger Harper, explained the thinking behind naming this squad:

“The Provisional T20I Squad was put together with all T20I Home Series Matches against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in mind. This gives us the opportunity to continue to build towards the upcoming World Cup and to determine our best squad and our ideal eleven.”

The West Indies Head Coach, Phil Simmons, is confident going into the summer and looking forward to the World Cup and he commented:

“These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. We have assembled a very solid squad — with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket. We are at that point where we have identified those who we will look to be the core of the squad to defend our World Cup title, so we want to make sure the upcoming matches create that environment — the way we train, the way we plan, the way we execute and the chemistry within the group. We won five years ago, so the next few weeks and months will be major steppingstones on the road towards defending our title and being World Champions for a third time.”

The Men in Maroon are the defending ICC IT20 World Champions and also lifted the title in 2012.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been working closely with regional Governments, their Ministries of Health and CARPHA to ensure the training camps and matches can proceed within a bio-secure environment. All players and support staff will undergo rigorous COVID-19 testing prior to and during each of these engagements.

FULL SQUAD SELECTED:

Kieron Pollard – Captain

Nicholas Pooran – Vice Captain

Fabian Allen

Dwayne Bravo

Sheldon Cottrell

Fidel Edwards

Andre Fletcher

Chris Gayle

Shimron Hetmyer

Jason Holder

Akeal Hosein

Evin Lewis

Obed McCoy

Andre Russell

Lendl Simmons

Kevin Sinclair

Oshane Thomas

Hayden Walsh Jr

T20I MATCH SCHEDULE:

West Indies vs Pakistan

July 27: 1st T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

July 28: 2nd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

July 31: 3rd T20I, Guyana National Stadium

August 1: 4th T20I, Guyana National Stadium

August 3: 5th T20I, Guyana National Stadium

 

[Markhor]

Damn, that's virtually full strength !

 

[SangasCoverDrive]

When is the series starting?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel announces a provisional 18-man squad ahead of the three back-to-back five-match T20 International (T20I) Series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.

The expanded squad maintains the blend of experienced players with exciting young talent as the West Indies continue preparations in the build up to the defence of their ICC T20 World Cup title, to be held in India in October-November 2021. Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jr. return alongside the majority of the squad who featured in the 2-1 T20I Series victory against Sri Lanka in March.

The provisional squad will quarantine and train in St. Lucia ahead of the first T20I Series against South Africa starting on the June 26 at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium. The official squad will subsequently be selected and announced ahead of each Series.

CWI’s Lead Selector, Roger Harper, explained the thinking behind naming this squad:

“The Provisional T20I Squad was put together with all T20I Home Series Matches against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in mind. This gives us the opportunity to continue to build towards the upcoming World Cup and to determine our best squad and our ideal eleven.”

The West Indies Head Coach, Phil Simmons, is confident going into the summer and looking forward to the World Cup and he commented:

“These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. We have assembled a very solid squad — with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket. We are at that point where we have identified those who we will look to be the core of the squad to defend our World Cup title, so we want to make sure the upcoming matches create that environment — the way we train, the way we plan, the way we execute and the chemistry within the group. We won five years ago, so the next few weeks and months will be major steppingstones on the road towards defending our title and being World Champions for a third time.”

The Men in Maroon are the defending ICC IT20 World Champions and also lifted the title in 2012.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been working closely with regional Governments, their Ministries of Health and CARPHA to ensure the training camps and matches can proceed within a bio-secure environment. All players and support staff will undergo rigorous COVID-19 testing prior to and during each of these engagements.

FULL SQUAD SELECTED:

Kieron Pollard – Captain

Nicholas Pooran – Vice Captain

Fabian Allen

Dwayne Bravo

Sheldon Cottrell

Fidel Edwards

Andre Fletcher

Chris Gayle

Shimron Hetmyer

Jason Holder

Akeal Hosein

Evin Lewis

Obed McCoy

Andre Russell

Lendl Simmons

Kevin Sinclair

Oshane Thomas

Hayden Walsh Jr

T20I MATCH SCHEDULE:

West Indies vs Pakistan

July 27: 1st T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

July 28: 2nd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

July 31: 3rd T20I, Guyana National Stadium

August 1: 4th T20I, Guyana National Stadium

August 3: 5th T20I, Guyana National Stadium

Pakistan have to bring their A game, no messing about with that squad.

 

[Ahmed216]

If pakistan continue to play like they did against Zim they'll lose 4-1. They have picked a strong squad

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Sharjeel
Rizwan +
Babar *
Hafeez
Fakhar
Imad
Faheem
Hassan
Nawaz
Shadab
Shaheen

Experienced middle order of Hafeez, Fakhar and Imad. Batting till #10. 7 bowling options with 4 spin and 3 pace