West Indies tour of Pakistan to play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs (December, 2021)

[MenInG]

Pakistan Cricket Board today announced West Indies will play three Twenty20 Internationals and as many ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the National Stadium in Karachi from 13–22 December.

This will be the West Indies’ first tour of Pakistan since April 2018 when they played three T20Is. The two-time former 50-over world champions will be playing ODIs in Pakistan for the first time since December 2006.

The December ODIs will form part of Pakistan’s fourth series in the Super League, which will see the top seven sides and the event host India qualify directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with the remaining two sides progressing from the qualifying event.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “After missing out on home internationals in September and October, the West Indies tour will formally kick-off of an exciting and entertaining season of men’s international cricket in Pakistan with HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 and Australia’s first full series to follow.

“The West Indies have always remained one of Pakistan cricket fans’ favourite sides. I am hopeful that the NCOC will support this series by allowing maximum crowds so that the fans can watch live in action their favourite players and back both the sides.”

Schedule:

9 Dec – West Indies arrival in Karachi
13 Dec – 1st T20I, Karachi
14 Dec – 2nd T20I, Karachi
16 Dec – 3rd T20I, Karachi
18 Dec – 1st ODI, Karachi
20 Dec – 2nd ODI, Karachi
22 Dec – 3rd ODI, Karachi
23 Dec - Departure

 

[sweep_shot]

Good news.

Should be an entertaining series.

 

[The Googly]

Should have played a test too. We need not lose sight that test cricket is most important format of all.

 

[Rana]

Another one of those touch and go series

Even South Africa didn’t give us a proper tour where the players are in the country for over a month

 

[Saj]

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today confirmed that the West Indies Men’s team will play three T20 Internationals (T20I) and three One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi from December 13 to 22.

The ODI Series will be West Indies fourth series of 12 in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. West Indies currently lie in eighth position out of 13 teams and have the opportunity to move above Pakistan into seventh position.

This will be the West Indies’ first tour of Pakistan since April 2018 when three T20Is were contested. The two-time former World Champions will be playing ODIs in Pakistan for the first time since December 2006.

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “Today we have confirmed the details for the West Indies Men’s white ball tour of Pakistan in December. CWI would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and our own cricket operations, medical and security teams for the work that has gone into the organization of this tour. West Indies and Pakistan have always delivered exciting series and we’re looking forward to visiting Pakistan to complete what has been a hectic and momentous year of cricket in the light of the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour starts a new cycle of T20i cricket, building towards next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. The ODIs also have great significance as West Indies looks to earn more points towards securing qualification for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup in India in 2023.”

Independent security advisors, Eastern Star International (ESI) will continue to monitor the security situation in Pakistan, and will also have a representative assigned to the team for the duration of the tour.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Another one of those touch and go series

Even South Africa didn’t give us a proper tour where the players are in the country for over a month

Test series is next year

 

[gazza619]

This will be a start of a new era for WI cricket where I am sure all the oldies will be scrapped for good.

Pakistan will also be post services of Hafeez & Malik.

 

[Ami]

This will be a start of a new era for WI cricket where I am sure all the oldies will be scrapped for good.

Pakistan will also be post services of Hafeez & Malik.

Not gonna happen mate

 

[farazaidi]

why do we have to squeeze all games in Karachi? I guess the pressure is still on PCB about the security and they prefer more organized security arrangement in one city than inter-city travelling.

 

[Fahdi]

Why are the matches so packed? No proper rest for the players during the series, could have given 2 days rest after the T20s.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan should play Test Matches , they making big mistake by neglecting Test Cricket

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Are we sure Karachi is safe enough to host cricket? I would have felt better if it was in Rawalpindi.

 

[Third Man]

why do we have to squeeze all games in Karachi? I guess the pressure is still on PCB about the security and they prefer more organized security arrangement in one city than inter-city travelling.

Karachi is the only city I would play cricket in December in.

 

[farazaidi]

Karachi is the only city I would play cricket in December in.

You could say this for test matches but we can play LOIs in Rawalpindi, Peshawar etc.

I dont know if the fog can affect play, will it? Sunset time is late in Karachi and not much of a dew factor.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

This will be a great opportunity for a post-T20I world cup West Indies squad to gain invaluable experience.


Looking forward to this!

 

[hitthestump]

JAM series but at least with the benefit of encouraging tours to Pak.

If this goes smoothly it'll be interesting to see how Australia manage to worm out of their committment.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Should honestly just make it a 3 Test series & 5 ODI's with WI and make it a lengthy proper tour since Australia won't bother coming anyways.

 

[cric_man]

You could say this for test matches but we can play LOIs in Rawalpindi, Peshawar etc.

I dont know if the fog can affect play, will it? Sunset time is late in Karachi and not much of a dew factor.

KHI doesn't have fog issue. Only around Lahore during winters.

 

[Mainul]

Again no test !!

It's a holiday tour for the windies

 

[offstump]

You could say this for test matches but we can play LOIs in Rawalpindi, Peshawar etc.

I dont know if the fog can affect play, will it? Sunset time is late in Karachi and not much of a dew factor.

Fog and smog can impact play. Peshawar doesn’t have a stadium that can host matches right now. For such a short series one city and venue makes sense, especially for logistics.

 

[moghul]

Are we sure Karachi is safe enough to host cricket? I would have felt better if it was in Rawalpindi.

What's wrong with Karachi, any particular reason of your concern, please share.

 

[shamaan]

This will be a start of a new era for WI cricket where I am sure all the oldies will be scrapped for good.

Pakistan will also be post services of Hafeez & Malik.

I think they need to rest Shaheen,Hassan Ali,Rauf for this tour.

 

[shamaan]

I would rest the 3 fast bowlers for this tour and test the bench strength.

 

[Firebat]

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the squads for their limited-overs tour of Pakistan. The series will feature three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals from December 13 to December 22 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The selection panel has named several uncapped players in both formats. For the ODIs, the newcomers are batters Justin Greaves, Shamarh Brooks, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and fast-bowling allrounder Odean Smith.

Smith and Motie are also selected in the T20I squad for the first time, along with left-arm fast-bowling allrounder Dominic Drakes. Motie was a travelling reserve for the recent ICC T20 World Cup, while Drakes and Smith were net bowlers before the start of the tournament.

Roger Harper, CWI's Lead Selector while announcing the squad said, "Here are a number of talented newcomers in each format that will have the opportunity to show what they are capable of at the international level.

Some of the notable omissions from the squad that featured in the ICC T20 World Cup include Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons. All of them are unavailable due to personal reasons.

Former captain Jason Holder wasn't considered for the series keeping in mind his workload.

The ODIs in Pakistan are part of the ICC ODI Super League where points gained work towards qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023.

West Indies ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope (vc), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith. Hayden Walsh Jr.

West Indies T20I squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein,Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr

 

[MenInG]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave says plans for the regional side’s tour of Pakistan are on track.

He dismissed reports that the six-match tour, which begins on December 13, was possibly in trouble, on the Mason and Guest radio programme this week.

Responding to host Andrew Mason who suggested there were rumours of challenges, Grave said he had spoken to CWI’s security consultant earlier this week and there were plans to meet with the players to go through the medical and security plans.

“Everything is moving ahead as planned,” he said.

“The Pakistan tour is on. We’ve had the security reports in, we’ve had confirmation of the security plan from the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board]. The team will get the same presidential-style security, the highest level of security provisions that any team can get when touring,” Grave insisted, adding that flights have been booked and the squads will be announced before the second Test against Sri Lanka which begins on Monday.

West Indies Women recently completed a successful tour in Karachi, winning all three ODIs, as they prepared for the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.

West Indies Men will play three T20 Internationals and three ODIs against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi from December 13 to 22.

The ODI Series will be West Indies’ fourth series of 12 in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

This will be the West Indies’ first tour of Pakistan since April 2018 when three T20Is were contested. The two-time former world champions will be playing ODIs in Pakistan for the first time since December 2006.

The squad is scheduled to arrive in Karachi on December 9, ahead of the first T20I on December 13. The second match will be played the following day and the third on December 16.

The ODIs are set for December 18, 20 and 22.

https://www.guardian.co.tt/sports/all-systems-go-for-pakistan-tour-6.2.1419397.387105a7c7

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan are most likely to rest Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the upcoming series against the West Indies if reports are to be believed. Pakistan are scheduled to lock horns with the Caribbean team in three T20Is and as many ODIs from Monday, December 13 to Wednesday, December 22. All the games will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi.

As per reports, the hosts are likely to announce the squads in a couple of days’ time. The Pakistan team is scheduled to reach Karachi on December 9 from Bangladesh. After spending a day in isolation and following a COVID-19 test, the players will take part in training and practice. Babar Azam and Co. are currently busy taking part in the two-match Test series on Bangladesh soil.

Mohammad Hasnain to get a chance

For the upcoming series, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain may get called up, The News International reported. The young speedster was initially picked for the T20 World Cup in Oman and UAE. But he was left out of the final squad as Pakistan made three changes. Hasnain has done well in the Pakistan Super League as well while playing for the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators.

Pakistan recently won the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh 3-0. Hafeez wasn’t a part of the series and pulled out in order to give youngsters a chance to shine. Iftikhar Ahmed, who was exceptional for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the National T20 Cup, was called up. Thereafter, Pakistan also won the opening Test by eight wickets at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

In the meantime, West Indies have named the squads for the ODI and T20I series. For the 50-overs format, they have called up Justin Greaves, Shamarh Brooks, Gudakesh Motie and Odean Smith. Motie and Smith also got a chance in the T20Is. Both were integral parts of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ team in the 2021 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

The ODI series is West Indies’ fourth in the Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from where seven teams will directly qualify for the mega event in India in 2023. The Caribbean team is currently in Sri Lanka where they are playing the two-match Test series.

https://www.crictracker.com/reports...z-malik-sarfaraz-imad-for-west-indies-series/

 

[nextover666666]

Resting hafeez , Malik, Sarfraz and imad seems like great news but who the 4 replacements will be. Hopefully PCB selects some good youngsters to get a chance

 

[The_KING]

It’s nice that we will see Pakistan play some ODIs. It’s seem like forever since we last played an ODI.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Good series in both formats on what should be road wickets in karachi. interesting to see what ODI team we pick for this series as we havent played much ODI cricket lately.

 

[MenInG]

Aleem Dar, member of ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, will team up with Ahsan Raza, who is one of the four Pakistani umpires in the ICC International Panel of Umpires, for the on-field umpiring duties of the first of the three T20I between Pakistan and the West Indies at the National Stadium, Karachi.

The experienced umpire Aleem Dar will also be the on-field umpire for the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures between the two teams, and will be joined by Asif Yaqoob, Ahsan Raza and Rashid Riaz at the other end for the first, second and third ODIs, respectively.

Match referee Muhammad Javed Malik will be lead the playing control teams for all six matches.

 

[shamaan]

Resting hafeez , Malik, Sarfraz and imad seems like great news but who the 4 replacements will be. Hopefully PCB selects some good youngsters to get a chance

Names that I can think of

Nawaz,Iftikhar,Haider Ali already in the squad.
Khushdil shah.

Back up keeper am not sure but possibly azam khan.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Shaheen & Hasan need to be completely rested too for the T20 series. For ODI's? Sure, play them but this is a short packed tour and there is literally zero reason to play them in T20's.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Rested. Surely 3 of the four should be dropped. Hafeez, Malik and Sarfaraz should not be near the team at all, as for Imad, T20 is fine.

 

[GreenKhan]

Resting Hafeez and Malik. When are they going to retire . Most likely a tactic for them to buy more time and play in another World Cup . Which will be just be a disaster.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Why are all the matches in Karachi???


This is torture to see

 

[anakwalajinn]

Hope they announce the timings of the matches soon. Need to put them in my calendar and invite the buoyz over for some burgers and chips

 

[MenInG]

More than 1,500 personnel of Karachi Police Security Division including 800 Special Security Unit (SSU) Commandos and lady Commandos along with personnel from other law enforcement agencies will perform security duties during the visit of West Indies cricket team's visit to the city.

The personnel would perform duties at National Stadium Karachi, Karachi Airport, routes, hotels and other different areas, while sharp shooters will also be deployed at sensitive points, said a news release on Wednesday.

Whereas, a specialised command and control bus will also be stationed at National Stadium to monitor law and order situation in surroundings of the stadium and shuttle service would be provided to the spectators from parking points to the stadium.

Moreover, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team comprising highly trained and well-equipped commandos will remain alert at SSU Headquarters as quick response force to challenge any emergency situation.

The security strategy had been devised by the Security and Emergency Services Division of Karachi Police in connection with the matches to be played between Pakistan and West Indies cricket teams at National Stadium, Karachi.

The plan was devised in a meeting chaired by DIGP Security and Emergency Services Division Maqsood Ahmed. The meeting was attended by Commandant Special Security Unit (SSU) Zeeshan Shafique Siddiqui, SSP East Qamar Raza Jaskani, and other senior officers of Police, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Pakistan Cricket Board along with all stakeholders.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2021.

 

[MenInG]

A full capacity crowd at the National Stadium in Karachi will be allowed to watch the matches between Pakistan and West Indies.

According to sources, the National Command and Control Center (NCOC) has allowed 100 per cent capacity after the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Meanwhile, the decision of allowing spectators in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven will be taken in the third week of December.

On the other hand, the tickets sale for the West Indies series are expected to go live from Friday. The most expensive ticket is likely to cost Rs. 1,000 while tickets of Rs. 500 and Rs. 250 will also be available.

Children up to the age of 12, who have been vaccinated, will also be able to come to the stadium with their families and enjoy the match. NCOC has directed PCB to follow all Covid-19 protocols for these matches.

It must be noted that West Indies are scheduled to arrive in Karachi on December 9 for three-match T20I series and as many ODIs, part of the ICC World Cup Super League.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

A full capacity crowd at the National Stadium in Karachi will be allowed to watch the matches between Pakistan and West Indies.

According to sources, the National Command and Control Center (NCOC) has allowed 100 per cent capacity after the request of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Meanwhile, the decision of allowing spectators in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven will be taken in the third week of December.

On the other hand, the tickets sale for the West Indies series are expected to go live from Friday. The most expensive ticket is likely to cost Rs. 1,000 while tickets of Rs. 500 and Rs. 250 will also be available.

Children up to the age of 12, who have been vaccinated, will also be able to come to the stadium with their families and enjoy the match. NCOC has directed PCB to follow all Covid-19 protocols for these matches.

It must be noted that West Indies are scheduled to arrive in Karachi on December 9 for three-match T20I series and as many ODIs, part of the ICC World Cup Super League.

Has any schedule for PSL 7 been released? And I believe that before COVID happened, they were planning to host matches in Peshawar in either PSL 6 or 7. And so is this still a possibility?

 

[Shafi]

People are delusional if they think Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz will retire after 2022 World Cup. They will continue until 2027 World Cup.

 

[Shafi]

Misbah retired at the age of 44 means both Malik, Hafeez has good 4-5 years and Sarfraz has at least 8 years.

 

[anonymous_guy]

Names that I can think of

Nawaz,Iftikhar,Haider Ali already in the squad.
Khushdil shah.

Back up keeper am not sure but possibly azam khan.

Bismillah Khan can be a good option for the wicket keeper role. This guy has been performing in the domestic seasons and fits the bill for the aggressive batsman.

He should be given a series specially when the other option is Azam khan.

 

[shamaan]

Bismillah Khan can be a good option for the wicket keeper role. This guy has been performing in the domestic seasons and fits the bill for the aggressive batsman.

He should be given a series specially when the other option is Azam khan.

I didn't think they would have chosen Bismillah becouse he also bats in the opening slot.

I prefer a youngster as the second keeper.

 

[PakLFC]

I have always respected the West Indies for standing with Pak. They are my second best team despite the terrible state of their game. Was so upset to watch how they were racially abused by England and Australia back in the 1970's and 1980's in the "Fire in Babylon" programme. Would be great to see them return anyway near their previous standards.

 

[James]

I have always respected the West Indies for standing with Pak. They are my second best team despite the terrible state of their game. Was so upset to watch how they were racially abused by England and Australia back in the 1970's and 1980's in the "Fire in Babylon" programme. Would be great to see them return anyway near their previous standards.

That’s the seemingly eternal hope and fascination that one has with WI cricket — could they ever get back to the top.

Talent-wise, I say yes. But the seriously intense internal politics might prevent this dream scenario from ever coming to fruition.

 

[PakLFC]

That’s the seemingly eternal hope and fascination that one has with WI cricket — could they ever get back to the top.

Talent-wise, I say yes. But the seriously intense internal politics might prevent this dream scenario from ever coming to fruition.

Not happening anytime soon. The Americanisation of the Caribbean islands is too deep now. They are more into American sports like basketball then Cricket nowadays. They don't have the same talent as the 1970's and 1980's.

 

[MenInG]

West Indies white-ball skipper Kieron Pollard has been ruled out of the tour to Pakistan as he is yet to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained at the ICC T20 World Cup which concluded last month.

In his absence, Nicholas Pooran will be leading the West Indies side in the T20I series whereas Shai Hope has been given the skipper title for the ODI series.

Experienced candidate Devon Thomas has been included in place of Kieron Pollard for the ODI series whereas allrounder Rovman Powell will feature for West Indies in the scheduled T20I series against Pakistan.

Kieron Pollard is expected to undergo rehabilitation work in Trinidad, where it will be assessed whether the player will be available to regain fitness ahead of the series against Ireland and England or not.

West Indies will travel to Pakistan to play three T20Is and three ODIs, which are scheduled to be played at National Stadium Karachi from December 13 to December 22.

West Indies Squad: Tour of Pakistan

One-Day Internationals

Shai Hope (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

T20 Internationals

Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/news/detail/pak-wi-kieron-pollard-ruled-out-due-to-injury

 

[MenInG]

West Indies Captain Kieron Pollard ruled out of Pakistan tour due to injury

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies white ball captain Kieron Pollard has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming tour of Pakistan as the hamstring injury he sustained in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has unfortunately not recovered in time.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel has named the experienced Devon Thomas, as the replacement in the One-Day International (ODI) squad while allrounder Rovman Powell, is the replacement in the T20 International (T20I) squad.

Pollard will undergo rehabilitation work in Trinidad, under the supervision of CWI’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Israel Dowlat, and will be reassessed in a few weeks ahead of the upcoming home tours against Ireland and England in January 2022.

With Pollard ruled out, Nicholas Pooran will lead the team in the T20Is. He was stand-in Captain when West Indies beat Australia 4-1 in the five match CG Insurance T20I Series in St. Lucia earlier this year. Shai Hope will Captain the team in the ODIs for the first time. Pooran is Vice Captain for the ODIs and Hope the Vice Captain for the T20Is.

The West Indies are due to play three T20Is and three ODIs at the Karachi National Stadium from December 13 to 22. The start times for the matches are: T20Is at 6pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica) and the ODIs at 1pm local time (4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica).

The ODI Series will be West Indies fourth series of 12 in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in which the top seven teams can secure automatic qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. West Indies currently lie in eighth position out of 13 teams and have the opportunity to move above Pakistan into seventh position.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan should win all the matches in this series.

West Indies cricket is becoming a laughing stock.

 

[Rana]

Some big names West Indians in the T20 squad

Better than the garbage overseas roster for PSL 7 for sure

 

[Omer2002]

Pakistan should win all the matches in this series.

West Indies cricket is becoming a laughing stock.

Saj thats rather too confident. Windies are a very good white ball team when they get it together

 

[Mirpur express]

Hope to see a few changes in our team as I expect an inexperienced WI team to come over but going by our recent 11s probably 1 or 2 changes lol *

 

[Buffet]

Tour should have included 3 tests to make it a full tour.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan should win all the matches in this series.

West Indies cricket is becoming a laughing stock.

WI can still cause upsets in T20 games.

plus our ODI team isnt exactly great.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan squad for the series against the West Indies (those present in Pakistan) have started to arrive at the team hotel in Karachi where they will undergo isolation, following on-arrival Covid-19 tests (Picture credit : PCB)

 

[MenInG]

West Indies squads for the T20/ODI series have arrived in Karachi (Pictures courtesy of the PCB)

 

[James]

<b>France24: Heavy security as West Indies give Pakistan cricket boost.</b>

Karachi (AFP) – The West Indies cricket team arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a visit which local officials hope will scotch bitter memories of a New Zealand tour abandoned on security grounds.

The Windies will play three Twenty20 and three one-day internationals -- all in the port city of Karachi -- starting Monday, their first visit since 2018.

A Pakistan official said a 26-member party had flown to Karachi early Thursday before being escorted by heavy security to the team hotel.

The series comes three months after New Zealand quit their first tour to the country in 18 years shortly before the opening match was due to start following a security alert.

That was followed by England's decision to withdraw visits by their men's and women's teams scheduled for October.

Pakistan officials were furious with the cancellations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.

The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad -- mostly in the United Arab Emirates -- until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.

This West Indian squad is somewhat understrength, with regulars Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons all opting out for personal reasons.

Former skipper Jason Holder is being rested, while Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy are out because of injuries.

Last week captain Kieron Pollard also withdrew through a hamstring injury, leaving the Twenty20 leadership to Nicholas Pooran and ODIs to Shai Hope.

Four players -- Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes and Odean Smith -- will join the team later Thursday.

The three T20Is are on December 13, 14 and 16, while the ODIs will be on December 18, 20 and 22.

T20I squad: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Rovman Powell

ODI squad: Shai Hope (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr, Devon Thomas

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy to be in Pakistan for the first time ! <a href="https://t.co/Avk6APbY6g">pic.twitter.com/Avk6APbY6g</a></p>— NickyP (@nicholas_47) <a href="https://twitter.com/nicholas_47/status/1468856398645706756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

Good news:

All Pakistan squad members who arrived yesterday and those who have been at the team hotel for the last three days have tested negative in yesterday's Covid-19 testing

Pakistan team will rest today and begin training from tomorrow

 

[MenInG]

Two West Indies players have been tested positive for novel Covid-19, sources said Friday.

They are scheduled to play three T20Is and the same number of ODIs at the National Stadium Karachi starting from December 13.

The identities of the players have not been shared, however they are put into isolation in the same hotel, where the team is staying, sources close to the matter said.

Furthermore, they said that the team skipped the training session, scheduled in the evening at the aforementioned venue, due to the same reason.

Samaa

 

[shah_1]

Not great news

 

[Markhor]

Some big names West Indians in the T20 squad

Better than the garbage overseas roster for PSL 7 for sure

Barely a second string WI team unfortunately with no Pollard, Lewis, Hetmyer, Holder, McCoy, Simmons or Allen due to injuries or personal reasons.

A quick rundown of the squad if anyone's interested:

Nicholas Pooran - exciting hard hitting keeper batsman.

Shai Hope - no idea why he's in the T20 team.

Darren Bravo - probably there for his spin playing ability. Not exactly a natural T20 batsman.

Roston Chase - had a decent CPL plus provides offspin, but another accumulator like the above two.

Sheldon Cottrell - left arm pacer who swings the new ball.

Dominic Drakes - young all-rounder who helped his team win the CPL21 final. Son of former WI pacer Vasbert Drakes.

Akeal Hosein - economical left arm spinner.

Brandon King - Jamaican opener. not sure why he was picked, didn't impress in CPL.

Kyle Mayers - another bizarre selection. Not a T20 player.

Gudakesh Motie - Guyanese left arm spinner who has been on the radar for a while in FC cricket, doesn't have much T20 experience.

Rovman Powell - All rounder. Can't play spin.

Romario Shepherd - lucky to be in the squad. Hasn't justified his international selection but being given another chance. Unsure why Jayden Seales was ignored.

Odean Smith - a very poor man's Andre Russell. A seam bowling AR who has a bit of pace but lacks control. T20 selection is understandable but bizarrely also picked for ODIs - despite averaging 45 with the ball perform in the domestic 50 competition ! WICB saving on air fares.

Oshane Thomas - very quick but too bulky for international cricket. Needs to improve fitness.

Hayden Walsh jr - young leggie and gun fielder. Looked excellent in WI's home summer.

 

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West Indies head coach, Phil Simmons, says he’s looking for the young players to put their hands up during their white-ball tour of Pakistan starting December 13.

The West Indies will face Pakistan in three T20I and three ODIs during the tour that concludes on December 20 and Simmons is expecting members of the team to stand up and be counted.

“We’re looking to see who’s going to put their hand up to be a major player in this team. It’s about them putting up their hands and saying we want to go forward with this team. We want to do the things that are necessary to help this team win,” Simmons said.

Speaking in a press conference Friday after the team’s arrival in Pakistan, Simmons acknowledged that this is the team’s first white-ball assignment since the disastrous World Cup campaign and that it is time to move on from that.

“We know what happened in the World Cup and we’re not going to go back there. We’re looking to move forward and see who now wants to move forward with this team and our different ideas of how we want to play,” he said.

The former Ireland and Afghanistan coach also expressed that while many know what these players are capable of, it is time for them to show it in high-pressure situations.

“Yes, we have an idea of what they can deliver, but they’ve got to go out there and start showing us now that they can deliver under pressure. Playing against Pakistan in Pakistan is as much pressure as you can get,” said Simmons.

Simmons says he’s anticipating how the mental approach within the squad will change.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how things are going to change within this squad, not just from a cricketing point of view but also an attitude point of view,” Simmons said.

The West Indies coach also noted the threat of Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“He’s been brilliant for Pakistan and I’m sure he will continue to improve. Our batsmen will work on plans to of how to play him, how to score off him and we’ll see how their plans work out when the games come about,” said Simmons.

https://sportsmax.tv/cricket/cricke...re-in-upcoming-limited-overs-tour-of-pakistan

 

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More quotes from Phil Simmons:

"The series will be interesting and our sole focus is on cricket only. Pakistan have been playing great cricket in T20Is while we will look to compete in ODIs"

"We have plotted plans to deal with Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Shaheen is one of the best bowlers currently while Babar and Rizwan have been fantastic as openers, we have plan A, B and C for them"

"We have young players in our team. We want to see how they play against Shaheen. Playing against Pakistan in Pakistan is like a challenge. Our players will be tested under this pressure. The wicket suits the local team but we want to play freely and forget past results"

"We are very satisfied with the security, the facilities provided are excellent, it was nice to come to Pakistan after a long time, I have always enjoyed coming to Pakistan There was no problem of any kind. The situation was different when I came here as a player. Now I can't go anywhere because of Covid-19"

 

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Pakistan vs West Indies | First T20I | Karachi | 13 December 2021 | Pre-match Discussion

Pictures (courtesy of the PCB) of the visiting West Indies squad practicing ahead of the 1st T20I against Pakistan on 13th December at the NSK

 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Incredibly sad to see an empty stadium in Karachi for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvWIt20?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvWIt20</a> especially after the performance of Pakistan Team in the last month. I’m pretty sure I know why but I want to hear from you! Tell me, where is the crowd and why??</p>— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) <a href="https://twitter.com/wasimakramlive/status/1470668846315016195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>