Pakistan vs West Indies 2018: 5 players with most wickets in Pak-WI T20Is

West Indies are set to tour Pakistan for a historic three-match T20I series beginning on April 1 and despite security concerns forcing the visitors to name a weakened 13-man squad for the matches to be played in Karachi, the series promises to be a cracker.

Pakistan are the most experienced side in T20 international cricket having played 123 matches till date and are currently the top-ranked side in the world in the format.

West Indies meanwhile have players who thrive in the format and, as their two World T20 triumphs prove, are a match for any side on their day.

West Indies and Pakistan have met each other 11 times in the T20 format with the latter holding the clear advantage, having won eight times.

The two sides first met at Gros Islet in April 2011 with the hosts emerging victorious by 7 runs but since then, Pakistan have been the dominant side.

Let's take a look at the five leading wicket-takers in T20I contests between the two sides starting with the only fast bowling representative in the lot.

#5 Sohail Tanvir (Pakistan) - 10 wickets

33-year-old left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir has been around in international cricket for more than a decade, having made his debut in all three formats of the game for Pakistan in 2007.

Tanvir's awkward action does make him difficult to get away but he has not been a prolific wicket-taker in international cricket by any stretch of the imagination.

In T20I cricket, Tanvir has picked up 54 wickets from 57 matches at an average of 26.92. His record against the West Indies is remarkably better, having picked up 10 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 19.80.

However, he will not be able to add to his tally at present as he has not been picked for the three-match T20I series against West Indies. In fact, Tanvir's last appearance for Pakistan was against the very same opposition, back in April 2017.

#4 Shadab Khan (Pakistan) - 10 wickets

Shadab was the Player-of-the-Series when Pakistan defeated West Indies 3-1 in March/April 2017

The 19-year-old leg-break bowler from Pakistan was the tormentor in chief in their four-match T20I series against the West Indies back in March/April 2017 when he collected 10 wickets to emerge as the Player of the Series.

Shadab also picked up two Man-of-the-Match awards, including one on his debut when he picked up three wickets, conceding just 7 runs - the most economical figures for a bowler completing their four overs on debut in a T20I.

With West Indies coming to Pakistan with an inexperienced batting line-up, Shadab will be licking his fingers at the prospect of once again working his magic against the Carribeans in familiar territory.

Currently ranked twelfth in the ICC T20I rankings for bowlers, a good series against the West Indies could very well see the youngster break into the Top 10.

#3 Sunil Narine (West Indies) - 11 wickets

Sunil Narine was recently reported for a suspect action while playing in the PSL

The mystery spinner from the Carribean, Sunil Narine is third on the list with 11 wickets from 10 matches against Pakistan.

With 50 wickets from 48 T20Is, Narine is West Indies' third highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals but is not a part of the 13-member squad that will be touring Pakistan shortly.

The only player to have bowled a maiden in a Super Over in a T20 match, Narine's performances against Pakistan have been a tad inconsistent, having failed to pick up a wicket in 5 of his 10 matches against them so far.

His best figures in a T20I against Pakistan came during the 2014 World T20 when he picked up 3 wickets, conceding just 16 runs in a contest that West Indies won by 84 runs.

#2 Imad Wasim (Pakistan) - 11 wickets

Imad Wasim was the Player-of-the-Series when Pakistan whitewashed West Indies 3-0 in the UAE in 2016

With 11 wickets from 7 T20Is against the West Indies, 29-year-old Imad Wasim is Pakistan's highest wicket-taker in T20I contests between the two sides.

The left-arm orthodox bowler, who has taken 27 wickets from 25 T20Is, certainly ups his game when he faces the Carribean side, as his bowling average of 12.54 and a mean economical rate of 5.30 prove.

His only five-wicket-haul in T20I cricket came against the same opposition when he returned with figures of 4-0-14-5 in the first T20I of the three-match series in the UAE in 2016.

He picked up nine wickets to emerge as the Player-of-the-Series as Pakistan completed a 3-0 whitewash.

Wasim will, unfortunately, miss the upcoming T20I series against West Indies due to a head injury.

#1 Samuel Badree (West Indies) - 13 wickets

Badree is currently ranked fourth in the ICC T20I rankings for bowlers

West Indies' joint highest wicket-taker alongside Dwayne Bravo with 52 wickets to his name, Samuel Badree is the undisputed leader when it comes to T20Is between Pakistan and West Indies, having picked up 13 wickets from 9 matches at an average of 15.53.

Known for his immaculate accuracy rather than his ability to spin the ball, Badree has used his strength to good effect and is currently ranked fourth in the ICC T20 rankings for bowlers.

For someone who made his international T20 debut at the age of 31, Badree has had quite a career and is one of the most sought-after bowlers by T20 franchises across the globe.

Badree's best figures against Pakistan came during the 2014 World T20 contest between the two sides at Dhaka when he picked up three wickets, conceding just 10 runs from 4 overs.

As one of the most experienced players in the 13-man squad that will be touring Pakistan, Badree will be hoping to play a leading role with the ball as he attempts to help his side come out on top against the hosts in the three-match T20I series.