Published: Apr 21, 2017, 07:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 22, 2017, 06:45 PM (IST)
Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of first day’s play of the first Test between Pakistan and West Indies at Sabina Park, Jamaica. With Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 hogging the limelight in the cricketing fraternity, Test cricket comes back to action with Pakistan taking on West Indies in the Caribbean island on Friday. The first of the three-Test series will begin for both sides with an aim to start their transition campaign on a good note. While the transition has been long-lasting for the hosts, visitors will be hoping for their youngsters to step up with two legendary batsmen, Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, calling it quits after the series. Live Cricket Scorecard, Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1
The onus will be on Misbah and Younis who are not only entering their last international series, but also stand on the verge of registering few landmarks. Younis’ run tally stands at 9,977 and is only 23 runs short of registering 10,000-run mark, first to do so for Pakistan. On the other hand, Misbah is just 49 runs shy from entering the 5,000-run mark in whites. Both the duo will like to get going from the first Test and deliver in their last series. Pakistan are currently ranked 5th in the ICC Test rankings and will look up to this series as a chance to reach the top four.
Talking about West Indies, they are languishing at the 8th spot, but they will look up to their last Test versus Pakistan for some inspiration. Trailing 0-2 in the three-Test series in 2016, they came back hard in the dead rubber to register a win and earn some respite. Jason Holder will want his men to carry on from where they left against the opponents, playing at home. This will also be the 50th Test at Sabina Park and both sides will look to make it special for the spectators. However, rain is expected to play a spoilsport in all five days of the Test.
Squads:
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Vishaul Singh
Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Asghar, Ahmed Shehzad, Usman Salahuddin, Shan Masood
