The first of four T20 internationals between West Indies and Pakistan takes place in Barbados on Wednesday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting
After the series opener in Barbados the remaining 3 matches will be staged in Guyana followed by 2 test matches in Jamaica. We begin with a look at the T20 squads.
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran(w), Kieron Pollard(c), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Hayden Walsh, Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, Andre Fletcher, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas, Kevin Sinclair
Pakistan: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz
Recent Form
West Indies
West Indies have been very busy of late. Most recently they completed a 4-1 series win over Australia with all 5 matches staged in St. Lucia.
Prior to that despite winning the opening match by 8 wickets West Indies lost a home series against South Africa 3-2. The series went to the wire and the Proteas won the decider last weekend by 25 runs.
West Indies hosted Sri Lanka in March and they won a 3 match series 2-1. In November 2020 they lost 2-0 in New Zealand and they won 2-0 in Sri Lanka a year ago.
Pakistan
Pakistan arrive on the back of a 3 match series in England. They won they opening match by 31 runs but lost the next 2 by 45 runs and then 3 wickets to lose the series 2-1.
Pakistan were in Zimbabwe in April and they won a 3 match series 2-1. Prior to that they toured South Africa and they won 3-1. Pakistan also hosted the Proteas in February and they won that series 2-1.
Recent Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 14 times with West Indies winning 3 to Pakistan's 11
In April 2018 Pakistan completed a 3-0 clean sweep of an under strength Windies side in Karachi.
In March / April 2017 Pakistan won a 4 match series in the Caribbean 3-1.
The Venue: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Since 2008 West Indies have won 5 and lost 3 of the 8 T20's staged at this venue. Pakistan were 6 wicket winners in the only clash between the teams at this ground back in March 2017.
You can check the Weather Forecast here
The Betting
West Indies are currently trading at around 4/6 to win the first T20 and Pakistan can be backed at around 6/5
West Indies are 3/10 to hit the most sixes and 15/20 to post the highest first 6 overs total
Evin Lewis is 11/4 favourite to top score for West Indies and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is 37/20 favourite top be top bat for the visitors.
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
With both teams having been in action recently it could pay to follow men in form. As far as West Indies bowling is concerned that brings Hayden Walsh and Obed McCoy firmly into the equation to be the hosts top wicket taker. McCoy played just 2 of the 5 T20's against the Aussies and may be fresher than Walsh who played all 5 and then all 3 ODI's which followed.
Babar Azam is always favourite to be top bat for Pakistan but in the T20 series against England early this month Rizwan scored 176 runs in 3 matches compared to his skippers 118 so at the prices Rizwan looks worthy of inclusion.
Bets: Top West Indies bowler Obed McCoy at 11/4
Top Pakistan run scorer Mohammad Rizwan at 11/4
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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