Pakistan v West Indies: 1st Test - Match preview
After a 5-match ODI series that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 won 3-2, West Indies and Pakistan are going to play their 1st Test match at Providence Stadium, Guyana, today, May 12.
Analysts believe it is a golden opportunity for Pakistan to win a Test game against West Indies for the first time in the Caribbean.
The Men in Green have defeated West Indies in two series, one at their home ground and other at neutral venue of UAE.
In their 6 tours to West Indies, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 shirts lost four Test series and two were drawn.
Skippers at a glance
Misbah-ul-Haq: The 36-year-old right-handed batsman has been in good form for the ODI series against the Caribbean. He made his international debut in a Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 in 2001.
The orthodox batsman is considered to be an ideal replacement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Inzamam-ul-Haq-c64383.
After http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salman-c88163 Butt’s removal, Misbah took over the reins of the Test squad in October 2010. Since then, he is leading the side successfully.
Darren Sammy: The 27-year-old all-rounder made his international debut in 2004 and stepped up the ranking ladder very quickly. In July 2006, he was assigned the Twenty20 side.
However, his performances in the other two formats led him to be appointed as the captain of ODI and Test squads as well. He has the honour of the fastest fifty by any West Indian batsman.
Team talk
Pakistan: The highest wicket taker of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, is not with the team as he has retired from Test captaincy.
Some new faces will make their Test debut with this game.
The pacer, Umar Gul, who was at rest during the ODI series, is likely to appear in today’s game.
Some batsmen like Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898 and Misbah are in good form as is evident from the ODI series.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ahmed-Shehzad-c42359 has been dropped for this game despite the fact that he hit a marvellous century in the ODI series.
Inconsistency is the only problem of Team Pakistan. The players are talented but they always fail to sustain the momentum.
The spin department is strong with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 at the top and Mohammad Hafeez to compliment him.
Squad: (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wahab-Riaz-c95839, 11 Saeed Ajmal.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760: The absence of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard has weakened the batting line-up.
However, Lendle Simmons is performing well. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has returned to the squad for the Tests.
Devendra Bishoo, the spinner, is in good form and so is Darren Bravo.
Sammy is likely to play six specialist batsmen and four specialist bowlers in today’s game.
Squad: (probable): 1 Devon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Carlton-Baugh-c49264 (wk), 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Ravi Rampaul, 9 Fidel Edwards, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Devendra Bishoo.
Watch- out for
Mohammad Hafeez: A talented Pakistani all-rounder who spins the ball with a good line and hits hard with the bat. He has been an opening batsman since quite some time and delivered nicely in the ODI series.
Azher Ali: A brilliant Pakistani batman who has made six half-centuries in his 19 Test innings and is vying for a ton. Patience, sensibility and consistency are his marked features. Though he is playing after a long interval, he is confident
to make impact.
Devendra Bishoo: Bishoo is set to make his Test debut in this game. His leg breaks and googlies remained effective in the World Cup as well as in the ODI series against Pakistan. Being the only specialist spinner in the Caribbean squad,
he will have a big responsibility on his shoulders.
Pitch condition
The Providence stadium has hosted just one Test before. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 defeated the West Indians at the venue in 2008. The pitch is more favourable for spinners however.
Last word
The Men in Green have spent a lot of time in practice nets and are committed to make history today. Having won last two ODIs against Pakistan, the Caribbean seem to be somewhat confident and passionate.
The clash will be interesting and is likely to attract a large number of cricket lovers as an international Test is going to be played after a long interval.
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