Pakistan v West Indies, II Test, Abu Dhabi – Preview

Pakistan can ill-afford to be over-confident against a spirited West Indies side when the two teams meet in the second of three Tests starting in Abu Dhabi from Friday (October 21).

The Abu Dhabi Test will mark a return to the traditional red ball and daylight play after the two teams fought out a tension-packed pink ball day-night Test in Dubai, which Pakistan won by 56 runs on the fifth evening.

Pakistan dominated the first three days after declaring on 579 for 3, courtesy of Azhar Ali's 302 not out, and then dismissing West Indies for 357. But Devendra Bishoo then turned the match around with career-best returns of 8 for 49 to shoot Pakistan out for 123 in its second innings, giving West Indies a target of 346.

Darren Bravo batted beautifully and when the last session started, West Indies needed 114 runs with Bravo unbeaten on 102. It needed a leaping catch by Yasir Shah off his own bowling to dismiss Bravo for 116 and Pakistan wrapped up the match soon after to take a 1-0 lead.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, hinted that Zulfiqar Babar, the experienced left-arm spinner, could be drafted back in after sitting out the Dubai game. If he is named in the XI, it is likely that one of the three pacers who played the first Test will sit out. Similarly, with Younis Khan available for selection, one of the batsmen will have to make way.

West Indies, meanwhile, is likely to remain unchanged.

The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from October 30.

Teams (from)Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.

West Indies: Jason Holder (capt), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Leon Johnson, Alzarri Joseph, Marlon Samuels, Jomel Warrican.