MULTAN, Pakistan — As Pakistan and West Indies prepare to face off in a two-match Test series starting Friday, both teams find themselves at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings. Pakistan is relying on its established spin bowling strategy to turn the tide against the visitors, utilizing a pitch that proved highly effective last October. In that series, spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali successfully contained England’s aggressive batting approach during the “Bazball” era, aided by specially modified drying techniques to prepare the pitch.
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, emphasized the significance of home conditions in Test matches, stating, “During the England series, we made it clear that adapting to home pitches is crucial.” He noted that the team has developed a playing style that suits their familiar grounds and aims to carry the success from the England series into this upcoming encounter.
In a remarkable comeback, Pakistan managed to clinch a 2-1 victory against England after initially facing a heavy defeat in the first Test. The tourists set a staggering record of 823-7 declared in their opening innings. Sajid and Noman, who collectively accounted for 39 out of 40 wickets in the final two Tests against England, are included in the squad for this series after being omitted during the recent tour to South Africa, which resulted in a series loss.
Additionally, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed the last home series due to illness, is back and could join the attacking spin contingent as Pakistan likely fields three specialist spinners. Under Masood’s leadership, the team has encountered challenges, with eight losses out of their last ten Test matches since he took on the captaincy role in December 2023. Despite this, Masood expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn from past mistakes, particularly their tendency to falter when in advantageous positions against teams like Australia and Bangladesh.
“Throughout the past year, we found ourselves leading games but struggled to seal the wins,” Masood remarked. “There were very few matches that were purely one-sided. Our focus now is on how we can convert good positions into victories.”
However, the team will miss the services of their in-form opener Saim Ayub, who is sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a fractured right ankle sustained during the South Africa Test. Imam-ul-Haq has been brought back into the squad to take Ayub’s place in the top order.
On the other hand, West Indies enters the series seeking their first series victory of this World Test Championship cycle. They have faced defeats against India, England, and South Africa, though they managed to secure draws in their encounters against Australia and Bangladesh. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed optimism about his team’s chances, stating, “This series is crucial for us as we aim to finish this cycle strongly.”
The West Indies will be without fast bowler Shamar Joseph due to shin splints, and Alzarri Joseph chose to participate in the ILT20 league in the UAE instead of traveling to Pakistan for the Test series. Additionally, vice-captain Joshua Da Silva and fast bowler Kemar Roach have been sidelined due to illness and will miss the first Test.
The second Test is also scheduled to take place in Multan, starting January 25, as Pakistan’s major stadiums in Karachi and Lahore undergo renovations in preparation for next month’s Champions Trophy.
