West Indies vs Pakistan Preview: TSR presents Predicted Playing 11, Toss prediction and Weather report for Match 2 of Cricket World Cup 2019
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With the ‘Battle of the crown’ having commenced, the excitement of the fans are at the peak, and will continue for the rest one-and-a-half months for sure. On Day 2 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, it will be the two most unpredictable sides in the World Cup, that will lock horns at the Trent Bridge, in Nottingham.
ALSO READ: West Indies Probable Playing 11 for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Pakistan arrived the earliest of all the teams at the World Cup venue, and should have by now found the answers to many questions which were looming after their 0-5 loss against Australia at their ‘adopted’ home-UAE. But unfortunately, they still haven’t.
The Windies on the other hand, haven’t won any of the bilateral ODI or Multi-nation tournament since the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. But as mentioned, one cannot write any of the above off even in the slightest of possibilities. Both teams have their set of match winners who can topple any side on their day. And this is what makes Day 2 of the World Cup an exhilarating one, beckoning the fans.
Form Guide
Pakistan arrived the earliest of all the teams at the World Cup venue, and should have by now found the answers to many questions which were looming after their 0-5 loss against Australia at their ‘adopted’ home-UAE. But unfortunately, they still haven’t.
While they lost 0-4 against England in the 5-match series, they went down against the lower-ranked Afghanistan side in their first Warm-up match, and then lost against rain in their second. More worryingly, they have lost their last ten completed ODIs.
It is their bowling department which is the cause of real concern for them. They have conceded scores in excess of 340 in each of their ODI matches against England recently. So expensive were the pacers, that two of them had to be dropped from the preliminary 15-member squad. Instead the selectors have entrusted the senior bowling duo of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. It will be interesting to see how to two fare up against the West Indian batting order, who went berserk the other day against the Kiwis.
Their batting however, are apparently in quite some form. Babar Azam has been exceptional for them throughout, while the openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq have also tasted success off-late. Their lower middle-order has also gained strength with the inclusion of the in-form Asif Ali in the squad.
The Windies, on the other hand have a similar story as well. Their batsmen showed what they are capable of the other day against New Zealand, where they piled up a mammoth mountain of 421 runs in 50 overs. All the batsmen starting from Chris Gayle at the opening spot till Ashley Nurse at no.10, were amongst runs. Shai Hope is in the form of his life with scores of 170, 109, 30, 87, 74 and 101 (in the warm-up match) in his last 6 ODI innings.
Again their bowling has been the cause of concern for them. Their skipper Jason Holder is not at his peak, while Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach have not been able to pick wickets against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Tri-Nation series. They picked up wickets only against the lower-ranked Ireland team.
West Indies vs Pakistan- Predicted Playing 11
The Windies selectors might not even be thinking about the Top-order with players Viz. Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and having cemented their spots, not only for their opening encounter, but perhaps for their entire World Cup campaign.
There bowling department is where the selection dilemma starts. The Windies cannot afford to play both their all-rounders- Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite simultaneously. If they do, they will have to play with only two frontline fast bowlers.
Moreover, looking at likely huge a role spinners will play during the middle-overs in England, going with just one spinner in the side, in the form of Ashley Nurse would not be a good option. Hence the left-arm spin services of Fabien Allen will be crucial, although he might not inspire much confidence in the spin department.
Oshane Thomas has impressed all with his fast-paced bowling, but his poor performance in the Warm-up game ( 6-0-66-1) might land him a selection snub.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s opening slot as well, is pretty much sorted out. At No. 4, Pakistan will have to select one out of Mohammad Hafeez or Haris Sohail. While Hafeez will bring with him more than a decade and a half-long experience, Sohail has done much better in the recent times.
With 38-year old Hafeez not the bowler that he once was, Pakistan should opt for Sohail in the middle-order. With veteran batsman Shoaib Malik, captain Sarfraz Ahmed and all-rounder Imad Wasim also present in the middle-order, the trio will have to continually finish innings for their team.
Despite playing his last ODI during the tour of South Africa, leg-spinner Shadab Khan is most likely to be included against West Indies. Among the fast bowlers, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi should also take the field on Friday primarily because of their record in the recent times.
In the fast bowling department, 19-year old Hasnain made his ODI debut against Australia a couple of months ago. But, his economy rate of 7.39 in five matches decreases his chances of playing against the hard-hitting West Indies’ batsmen. Thus, one of the experienced duo of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz would get a game tomorrow.
West Indies Playing 11
Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Fabien Allen, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.
Pakistan Playing 11
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz / Mohammed Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
West Indies vs Pakistan- Pitch and Weather Condition
The Trent Bridge in Nottingham is going to stay true to the identity of what the ECB has promises us this World Cup. It’s going to be a completely placid, flat and sluggish wicket where the purchase for the bowlers is next to negligible if any.
Talking about the weather condition, Nottingham is expected to be cloudy for the most part, with some sunny intervals in between. The overcast conditions might spice up the contest for the fans.
Toss prediction
The runs are going to pour at this surface with just the slightest ever covering of grass offering the tiniest of purchase to the fast bowlers early on. Thus, the team who wins the toss would look to bat first.
Where would the match telecast?
The clash between the two sides will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and Hotstar, and will commence from 03:00 IST.
