(Cricket news) West Indies will become the second team after South Africa to play a series in Pakistan this year as the first T20 match will start today. West Indies is also without it’s main players as Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers tested positive and Kieron Pollard is also missing due to injury. With the retirement of Dwayne Bravo, the team has big shoes to fill.
West Indies will be led by Nicholas Pooran who has played the most matches at the format for the team as the rest of the squad hasn’t played many matches. He will get support from Darren Bravo who has been with the team since 2009 but has only played a few T20 matches. Dominic Drakes is expected to make his debut for the team in the series as he can put up an allrounder show like he did in CPL. Spinner Gudakesh Motie can also play his maiden international match for the team, the bowling line up for the visitors look manageable but the batting will remain a concern for them.
“It’s obviously a new rebuilding stage for us now. It is unfortunate that we don’t have other senior players here but when saying that I am very excited to see this new crop of players get onto that cricket field,” Pooran said.
“I believe that there are a lot of talented players here, a lot of special players, especially when it comes to the shorter form of the game so I am very excited to see what’s going to happen on the cricket field. I am looking forward to seeing us play together, sticking to our plans as much as possible and being hungry for success.”
The Pakistan team has it all, their main players are on form as only Hasan Ali is being rested for the series. Their batters are currently the best in the world and their bowlers are also on the top as they look to take full advantage of the Caribbean team, Babar Azam will be leading the side and will look to put the bowlers at work.
“We will try to carry the momentum which started in the (T20) World Cup. We are not going to take the West Indies side lightly because they didn’t bring their best players. They have played in the CPL and international games, so you have to give your 100 per cent to beat them,” Babar told reporters during a video conference.
There will be three T20 matches as the teams get ready for the 1st match today. Pakistan are the favourites as the match will be in their favour whether they bat or bowl, West Indies will look to the new players to make a mark in the team. The Indies will look to trouble the Pakistani openers early as they are the most difficult to handle as Pakistani has a pace as well as spin attack against the West Indies batters. West Indies now has a major battle ahead but with some power they too can cause damage to the hosts.
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