Published: Oct 30, 2016, 11:11 AM (IST)
Edited: Oct 30, 2016, 07:18 PM (IST)
Hello, and Welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of the first day’s play of the third Test between Pakistan and West Indies at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Pakistan have already won the series by winning the first two and are eyeing for whitewash by winning the third one as well. West Indies has so far not won a single game on this tour, be it Twenty20 Internationals or One-Day Internationals. Pakistan’s side are in control of the match, while West Indies are yet to find the perfect combination for their team. The Caribbean side will surely look to end the series on a positive note, either by drawing the third Test or win it. On paper, Pakistan are surely much better side but West Indies showed some glimpse of improvement in both the previous Tests. Shannon Gabriel scalped five-wickets in the second Tests and Jermaine Blackwood played an impressive knock of 95 runs in the final innings of second Test. Full cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs West Indies 3rd Test at Sharjah
Pakistan are determined to complete an historic 9-0 rout of the West Indies when the two teams meet in the third and final Test in Sharjah from Sunday. Having blanked their opponents 3-0 in both the Twenty20 and one-day internationals, Pakistan also claimed the first two Tests — by 56 runs in the day-nighter in Dubai and by 133 runs in the second match in Abu Dhabi. No team has ever won all nine matches of a tour in cricket history. Pakistan’s strong batting line-up, coupled with the leg-spin of Yasir Shah, proved too good for the inexperienced West Indies who started the tour on a sour note when head coach Phil Simmons was sacked.
They looked rudderless in the limited-overs series and despite fighting gallantly in both Tests by extending the matches to the fifth and final days with stubborn batting, they need a huge lift to avoid another whitewash in Tests. Pakistan could bring in either left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz or untried right-arm fast bowler Imran Khan while Mohammad Amir is also an option. Another flat Sharjah pitch will see Shah and two left-arm spinners, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Nawaz retained.
Meanwhile, the West Indies are likely to bring in fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for Miguel Cummins who has taken only one wicket in the two Tests. Despite the UAE losing streak, West Indies captain Jason Holder believes his team is improving.
Teams
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan
West Indies: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican
