Multan: Pakistan will look to conclude the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 campaign on a high note as they face West Indies in a two-match Test series starting January 17 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The second Test is scheduled at the same venue from January 25.
West Indies, playing their first Test match in Pakistan since December 2006, currently sit at the bottom of the ICC Test Championship table. In their last encounter on Pakistani soil, the home team, led by PCB Hall of Famer Inzamam-ul-Haq, secured a 2-0 victory in a three-match series. The most recent series between the sides was in 2021 in the West Indies, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Under the captaincy Shan Masood’s captaincy stan aims to secure their itsd consecutive home series win, having defeated England 2-1 last October. The 15-member squad has undergone three days of intensive preparation, while Kraigg Brathwaite’s side practiced for two days at the scenic Multan Cricket Stadium. The West Indies team also participated in a three-day warm-up match against Pakistan Shaheens in Islamabad last week.
The Pakistan squad includes three uncapped players: Kashif Ali (right-arm fast bowler), Mohammad Huraira (right-handed batter), and Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper-batter). Returning to the team are Abrar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Ali, and Sajid Khan. Notably, Abrar and Sajid are closing in on milestones, needing 11 and six wickets, respectively, to reach 50 Test wickets each.
Pakistan is determined to leverage its home advantage and end the Test Championship cycle with a memorable series win.
Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test captain:
“This is our last Test series in the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, and we would like to finish it on a winning note. Every match in this format holds great importance, and we are committed to giving it our all to end the campaign with a memorable series win.”
“West Indies are a decent side with a lot of talented players. They bring a unique style to the game, and we know they will push us hard. Test cricket is about adapting to challenges, and as a team, we are prepared to respond to whatever comes our way.”
“The series win against England at home has given us a lot of confidence and momentum. We are fully focused on putting in strong performances and carrying forward that winning attitude.”
Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies’ Test captain:
“We are very excited to be here in Pakistan, I personally had never come to Pakistan before and probably majority of players are also touring for the first time and we are really looking forward to doing well in the series. Pakistan are a strong side at home, so we look forward to doing well in these conditions.”
“Our team’s performance will be quite crucial here, and obviously putting runs on the board is important but taking 20 wickets will be the key to win the Test match.”
“Our preparations are going well, we had few days in Islamabad where we played a practice game which went quite good for us as a group and we had our sessions here in Multan which were helpful as well.”
Pakistan squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.
West Indies 12 for the 1st Test:
Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo (wicket-keeper), Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Keacy Carty, Kevin Sinclair, Mikyle Louis and Tevin Imlach
Also, part of the squad but not considered for selection in the first Test:
Anderson Phillip, Joshua Da Silva (vice-captain) and Kemar Roach
