MULTAN, Pakistan — Pakistan hopes its tried and examined spin template will probably be profitable towards the West Indies as the 2 bottom-placed groups within the World Check Championship gear up for the two-test sequence ranging from Friday.
HT Picture
The identical pitch has been ready for the primary check in Multan on which Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali neutralized England’s aggressive “Bazball” in October when the groundskeepers efficiently dried out the 22-yard strip with the assistance of big industrial-sized followers and patio heaters.
“We emphasized during the England series that home conditions are very important in test cricket,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood stated on Thursday. “We adapted a style of play, style of pitches, now we will try how we can perform in our home grounds and carry forward the momentum of England series.”
Pakistan got here from behind to beat England 2-1 on engineered dry wickets of Multan and Rawalpindi after dropping the primary check by an innings when the vacationers amassed a record-breaking 823-7 declared within the first innings.
Off-spinner Sajid and left-arm spinner Noman, who grabbed 39 of the 40 wickets within the final two check matches towards England, are each named within the 15-man squad after being missed for the away sequence towards South Africa, which Pakistan misplaced 2-0.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed the final house sequence towards England due to sickness, can be within the squad and it’s seemingly Pakistan will go along with three specialist spinners.
Pakistan has misplaced eight of its final 10 check matches underneath Masood’s captaincy since he was elevated as red-ball skipper in December 2023. However the skipper believed Pakistan couldn’t capitalize numerous occasions towards Australia, Bangladesh and even towards South Africa after placing opponents on the again foot.
“There are lots of test matches during last year when we lost the games after coming into a winning position,” Masood stated. “There were only one or two one-sided matches … we came into good positions but couldn’t finish it. The lesson for this team is how we can convert it into victories after coming into winning positions.”
Pakistan will probably be with out its in-form opening batter Saim Ayub, who was dominated out of aggressive cricket for as much as six weeks after fracturing his proper ankle through the check match in South Africa. Imam-ul-Haq will change Ayub within the prime order after the left-hander was recalled since final enjoying towards Australia.
West Indies is but to win a sequence on this WTC cycle. It has misplaced to India, England and South Africa whereas drawing 1-1 each towards Australia and Bangladesh.
However captain Kraigg Brathwaite was hopeful that his crew might end the WTC cycle on a excessive.
“This series is very important for us,” Brathwaite stated. “Obviously two test matches left in this cycle and it’s a new year … it is important to finish this cycle strong and that’s our focus.”
Quick bowler Shamar Joseph was dominated of the sequence because of shin splits whereas one other pacer, Alzarri Joseph most well-liked to play within the ILT20 league within the United Arab Emirates and skipped the check sequence in Pakistan.
Brathwaite stated the vacationers will probably be even be with out their vice-captain Joshua Da Silva and quick bowler Kemar Roach, who have been dominated out of the primary check due to sickness.
Multan may also host the second check, ranging from Jan. 25 because of ongoing upgrades at Pakistan’s two major stadiums in Karachi and Lahore for subsequent month’s Champions Trophy.
cricket: /hub/cricket