The first of two test matches between West Indies and Pakistan gets under way at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
Pakistan's tour started with 4 T20's but rain was the big factor and a result was only possible in 1 match. Pakistan won the completed contest by 7 runs and we now move on to the test series with both matches taking place at Sabina Park. Let's take a look at the squads.
West Indies - Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
Pakistan - Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Zahid Mahmood, Yasir Shah (subject to fitness),
Recent Form
West Indies
West Indies lost both matches in a home series against South Africa in June, crashing to an innings and 63 run defeat in the first match and going down by 158 runs in the second.
West Indies hosted Sri Lanka in March and both test matches finished drawn. In February they toured Bangladesh where they edged both test matches by margins of 3 wickets and 17 runs for a 2-0 series win. In December 2020 they were thrashed twice in a 2-0 series defeat in New Zealand and in July they performed with credit in a 2-1 series defeat in England.
Pakistan
Pakistan were in Zimbabwe in April / May this year and they won both matches as they pleased, an innings and 116 runs in the first and an innings and 147 runs in the second contest.
In January / February this year Pakistan won both matches in a home series against South Africa by margins of 7 wickets and then 95 runs.
The Venue Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Since 2012 Sabina Park has hosted 7 test matches with West Indies winning 2, losing 4 and we have seen 1 draw.
Pakistan were here in April 2017 and they beat West Indies by 7 wickets.
The most recent test match at this ground came against India in August 2019. India posted a first innings total of 416 and West Indies were dismissed for just 117. India declared their second innings at 168/4 and then bowled West Indies out for 210 to win the match by 257 runs.
You can check the weather forecast here
The Betting - 1st Test
West Indies are currently trading at around 5/2 to win the game with the draw a 43/20 chance and Pakistan can be backed at around 12/10
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
West Indies were very disappointing against South Africa and unless they improve dramatically they will be up against it.
I think the hosts will be more competitive than they were against the Proteas but Pakistan will still have enough to win this one.
As far as the exotics are concerned Kemar Roach would be my idea for top WI bowler in the first innings.
Bet: To win the first test, Pakistan at 12/10
1st Innings Top WI wicket taker, Kemar Roach
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Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
