West Indies vs Pakistan – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs Pakistan taking place? Thursday, August 12th, 2021 – 16:00 (UK)
Where is West Indies vs Pakistan taking place? Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
What is the expected weather for West Indies vs Pakistan? 29-32c with sunshine and a fresh to moderate breeze across all five days, although a chance of thundery showers early on Day 2.
What channel is West Indies vs Pakistan on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport in the UK
Where can I stream West Indies vs Pakistan? BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website and app
LAST MEETING
Pakistan beat West Indies by 101 runs.
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- West Indies turn their attention to red ball cricket after focusing largely on preparing for the upcoming T20i World Cup over the past month and have a point to prove with their most recent test series vs South Africa ending in a comfortable 0-2 victory for the Proteas.
- Batter Shamarh Brooks and fast bowler Chemar Holder are both named in the Windies squad due to an injury to Shannon Gabriel, who misses out entirely alongside the rested Darren Bravo.
- Young fast bowler Jayden Seales impressed vs South Africa and the 19-year-old will be hoping to once again show what he can do here, whilst Brooks could be given a chance in the middle order, although places are limited with the likes of Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase also hoping to play.
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan’s last experience of test cricket came back in May when they comfortably defeated Zimbabwe in a two-match series, winning both games by an innings to extend their winning run in red ball cricket to four after their 2-0 home series win over South Africa in the first couple months of the year.
- Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was rested towards the end of Pakistan T20i series against the Windies, most likely with a view to featuring in this test alongside the likes of Mohammad Abbas and spin-bowler Yasir Shah, who are both regular players in the test side.
- The visitors’ most recent test saw opening batter Abid Ali score a magnificent 215 not out and he may play a key role in this contest, as could the experienced Azhar Ali at number three.
THE PREDICTION
Rain ruined the five-match T20i series between these two countries, with Pakistan ultimately emerging as 0-1 victors, but the forecast is thankfully far better for this first test match in Jamaica. The West Indies bowling attack will present a significant challenge for Pakistan. However, the tourists enter this contest in excellent red ball form and a number of their test batters in very good nick. On the contrary, the home side desperately struggled with the bat in the long form of the game against South Africa and Pakistan’s pace bowlers could cause them real problems. There looks to be a significantly better balance within the Pakistan line-up compared to that of West Indies and when taking this into account, it is the in-form tourists who should come out on top in this one.
