West Indies vs Pakistan – 2nd Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is West Indies vs Pakistan taking place? Friday, August 20th, 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? 29-33c bright sunshine on Day 1 with sunny intervals across the rest of the test match although a chance of thundery showers on Days 2, 4 and 5.
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
West Indies beat Pakistan by one wicket.
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST INDIES
- A dramatic first test saw West Indies triumph by one wicket as they chased down 168 with just one wicket remaining with bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales the heroes of the hour.
- After taking a five-wicket haul in the Pakistan second innings which set up the nail biting run chase, number 11 batter Seales managed to survive the onslaught of Pakistan fast bowling and keep fellow tail ender Roach company as the 33-year-old Windies stalwart hit the winning runs to finish 30 not out.
- It would be no surprise to see the hosts name an unchanged side for this second test following such a wonderful victory last time out, although question marks still remain over the batting and Shai Hope could come into the team if coach Phil Simmons wishes to make any adjustments.
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan’s four-match winning run in red ball cricket came to an end in the first test and the pressure is on Babar Azam’s side to bounce back here as they bid to rescue the series, following a performance blighted by dropped catches that ultimately cost them victory.
- The batting of the visitors also disappointed with just two half-centuries across their innings, scored by captain Babar and 35-year-old Fawad Alam, although left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was at his brilliant best, taking eight wickets over the course of the contest.
- When assessing the potency of Shaheen in the first test at Sabina Park, Pakistan may look at bringing another fast bowler into their line-up with teenager Naseem Shah waiting in the wings.
THE PREDICTION
The second test between West Indies and Pakistan will have a tough job emulating the drama of the opening match and after the heroics of the Windies tail last time out, Kraigg Brathwaite’s side will be hoping to wrap the series up here. However, Pakistan will consider themselves to have thrown away the first test when taking into account the number of dropped catches they were guilty of. If the visiting bowlers put in a similar performance in this second test, the West Indian batters will once again struggle to cope with the pace and movement generated. A significant improvement in the field is also expected from the tourists and when you also take into account the batting of experienced players such as Babar, Fawad and Azhar Ali, then a Pakistan victory is to be favoured here.
