THE first match in the Betway Test Series between West Indies and Pakistan bowls off tomorrow (Thursday, 12th August, 2021) at Sabina Park in Jamaica. This Series is the first of six in the new cycle (2021 – 2023) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) to find the best Test match cricket team in the world.
Pakistan is currently at No. 5 on the ICC Test ranking and the West Indies 7th.
The last time the two teams played in the Caribbean was in 2017, Pakistan winning the three-match series 2-1.
Scores: 1st Test, Kingston. West Indies 286 and 152, Pakistan 407 and 36 for 3. Pakistan won by 7 wickets.
Second Test at Kensington Oval, West Indies 312 and 268, Pakistan 393 and 81. West Indies won by 106 runs.
Third Test in Roseau, Pakistan 376 and 174 for 8, West Indies 247 and 202. Pakistan won by 101 runs.
Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel on Monday 9th August, 2021 announced a 17-member provisional squad to take on the visiting Pakistan team lead by Barba Azam.
The panel has recalled fast bowler Chemar Holder and middle-order batsman Shamarh Brooks. Holder made his Test debut in New Zealand last year but has not featured since.
Brooks last played in New Zealand and has earned a recall following a polished century in the Best versus Best four-day match last week.
Additionally, two experienced players, left-hander Darren Bravo and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel will not feature in the upcoming two-match series.
“Chemar Holder returns, having recovered from his injury. He will bolster the fast-bowling department. Shamarh Brooks batted his way into the provisional squad by scoring an accomplished century. He will certainly add some depth to the squad’s batting,” said Roger Harper, Chairman of selectors of the Senior Men’s Team.
“Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has been given time to rehab fully and build his conditioning, so he was not part of the preparations for the Test series against Pakistan, which included the Best v Best game. Darren Bravo has been part of the ‘bubble’ from the preparation camp leading into the Betway Test series against South Africa and has been given a break,” Harper stated.
Harper added: “I expect the team to be highly competitive in every department while playing with passion, purpose and determination. I look forward to the batsmen stepping up as they did in the series against Bangladesh and against Sri Lanka earlier this year in Antigua.”
The West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.
The Pakistan squad include: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Afridi, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Imran Butt, Muhammad Abbass, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shahnawaz Dhani, Yasir Shah, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel.
