West Indies, Pakistan kick-off their WTC23 journey

Overview

West Indies vs Pakistan, first Test
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
August 12-16, 10:00 am local

Both the teams come into the series in contrasting red-ball form. While Pakistan have won all their matches in the last four Tests, West Indies haven't registered a single win in their last four games (two losses, two draws).

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons raised concerns about the lack of match practice for their Test match players ahead of the series as the men from the Caribbean have only played white-ball cricket since March 2021. In their last series against South Africa, the batsmen looked all at sea against the Proteas bowlers.

West Indies will hope that they can turn their Test form around, and will want their captain Kraigg Brathwaite to lead the charge after a poor series against South Africa.

Pakistan, on the other, hand will hope they can carry forward their Test form in the Caribbean. The three games washed out in the T20I series could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Test players in the squad who would be well-rested ahead red-ball series.

With their players in great touch, Pakistan will be eager to open their World Test Championship tally with a win.

Remember the last time

West Indies and Pakistan last squared off in a Test series in 2017 where Pakistan emerged victorious by a 2-1 margin away from home.

Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the series by beating West Indies by seven wickets, thanks to tremendous bowling performances from Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah, who registered six-fors in the first and second innings respectively.

The Windies managed to make a comeback in the second Test to set up a thrilling decider. Shannon Gabriel followed up a four-for in the first innings with a five-wicket haul in the second as Pakistan folded for just 81 runs, losing the match by 106 runs.

Pakistan wrapped up the series in the final game in a thriller that went right down to the wire. Roston Chase's 170 runs and 5 wickets in the match couldn't save West Indies from a 101-run defeat.

The series also marked the farewell of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq from international cricket.

What they said

Phil Simmons (West Indies head coach): "We've always had tough battles with any Pakistan team that comes to the Caribbean. They've played very well in their last two Test series and are coming in on a high. We didn't play quite as well in our last series so it's going to be tough. I think even though we're at home we're a little bit of an underdog, but we're going to put everything into it to try and make sure we come out on top."

Hasan Ali (Pakistan bowler): "We want to start the new ICC World Test Championship campaign with a win. We are looking forward to the Test series. I will try to carry my form forward as my previous series with the red ball was also a good one. Our bowling unit has given some good performances in the past."