WI vs PAK Match Prediction: Who will win today’s West Indies vs Pakistan | Cricket World Cup 2019 Match 2

WI vs PAK Match Prediction: The Sportsrush present before you Match Prediction of 2019 World Cup Match 1 between WI and PAK.

The World Cup is well and truly underway and as we head into day 2 of the momentous event. It’s West Indies and Pakistan who promise to enthrall us for tomorrow. The quadrennial event shifts to Trent Bridge in Nottingham for a day encounter which will see two countries who’ll be looking to prove a point to everyone.

It’s a match which holds massive importance for both these countries. Having lost key ODI matches in the build-up to the showpiece event, both sides have come under flak for their dwindling bowling lately. What they are renowned for is their coveted batting line-up, one capable of decimating any bowling attack thrown their way once they’ve settled into their grove.

WI vs PAK – What numbers suggest?

Overall, the two countries have played a good amount of 133 matches with West Indies squandering away the initiative they had in this clash recently. Pakistan still manage to lead with 70 wins to the opposition’s 60 while three matches have ended in draws.

At the World Cup, the two sides have faced each other a total of 10 times till date with West Indies well on top of this clash. They’ve come out on top 7 times while Pakistan have managed to get a win on only the three occasions.

WI vs PAK – Key Battles

Shai Hope vs Hasan Ali

A century against New Zealand in the warm-up match preceded by international scores of 74, 87 and 109 see Shai Hope come into this World Cup as one of the most in form player at the moment. He’s been a dependable figure for his country across formats in the recent times. Hope has also shown astounding awareness of when to keep his intent in check and when to open his arms.

Against Pakistan, West Indies will have their eyes turned to Hope once again to come up with a stellar innings and lay the perfect foundation for them. He’ll take on Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Hasan Ali in the early part of his innings.

In the three innings Hope has faced Hasan Ali in, he has been dismissed by the pacer once. Numbers depict how comfortable he has found it to take the attack on the fast bowler.

However, Hasan will be aware that if there’s any weakness in Hope’s batting, it is against the pacers. In recent innings, he’s lost his wicket continually to fast bowlers and if the ball is peppered in the good length areas, Hope is known to have problems getting underneath it.

Jason Holder vs Babar Azam

In a Pakistan middle-order which is known to be flummoxed at the slightest bit of pressure, Babar Azam has been Pakistan’s most assured player. Coming off a good series against England, Azam emerged as one of the best players for his side, scoring 277 runs at an average of 55.40 and a strike rate of 99.64.

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In West Indies, he will face a pace attack that is not known to offer too much either. Akin to Pakistan’s, the West Indians are known for their pace but with the ball sprayed all over the pitch at that trajectory, peeling them apart for runs becomes too easy.

One bowler who has shown perseverance has been their resolute captain Jason Holder. The 27-year old cricketer has helped to hold fort at one end with his restrictive brand of bowling.

In six innings, Azam has 514 runs against West Indies, a figure which doesn’t bode well for Holder’s side ahead of the encounter. They’ll be needing their captain to take accountability and send Azam back early on, something Holder will look to do with his slower worked bouncers.

WI vs PAK – Match Prediction

Being the first match these two sides are going to play at the event, the ramifications of win or defeat for either could prove to be huge. What does favour the West Indian unit in this clash is their awe-inducing batting line-up, one which is packed to the brim with players who love striking the ball clean to the fence.

ALSO READ: Predicted Playing XI | Pakistan | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

They showed that against New Zealand, registering a humongous 421 runs and against a Pakistan pace bowling unit which has struggled immensely, they’ll be at it again.

However, West Indies have their own inclement problems in bowling and if Pakistan’s top three can click, we are in for a high scoring cracker of a match. 300 should be scored easily and we envision West Indies managing to come out of it with the 2 points.