The one-wicket win in the first Test match should boost the confidence of the young West Indies Test side that has lacked success in recent years. On the other hand, Pakistan will be concerned about the performance of some of their senior players.
Despite the win, West Indies will want to boost their batting. Kraigg Brathwaite’s 97 was crucial, while Jermaine Blackwood and Jason Holder also scored fifties. However, quite a few of their batters, including Roston Chase, got failed to convert their starts.
Although Jayden Seales became the youngest West Indian to record a five-wicket haul in Test cricket, it was Kemar Roach who spearheaded the charge with ball, not to speak of his role with bat in the end. The only change for West Indies could be to bring in either an extra pacer or Rahkeem Cornwall in place of Jomel Warrican.
Pakistan have been too dependent on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to put up competitive scores. More will be expected of the likes of Imran Butt, Abid Ali, and Azhar Ali.
Pakistan were also outbowled in the first Test match. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Abbas bowled well, but Yasir Shah will need to step up. The first Test match was just the third instance where Yasir failed to pick up a wicket in a Test.
Head to- Head
In 53 Test matches, Pakistan have won 20 while West Indies have registered 18 victories so far. A total of 15 Tests ended in draw.
Betway fantasy tips
– Pick Holder. One of the best all-rounders in the world, he did well with both bat and ball during the first Test.
– Babar is going through a great phase. Expect him to score big.
– Afridi provided three early breakthroughs during the West Indies chase to put them under pressure. He took eight wickets in the last Test, and looked ready for more.
Likely XIs
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kieran Powell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
Pakistan: Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi
Prediction
Pakistan should make a strong comeback.