West Indies vs Pakistan 1st ODI Preview: Battle of equals

WI vs Pak

West Indies haven’t had much success in the last 12 months, having lost away to Australia and Bangladesh besides an insipid Champions Trophy campaign.

The recently concluded Celkon tri-series was another case of a bright beginning going bust. After two successive wins, West Indies’ profligate batting and ill-disciplined bowling saw them exit from the tournament before the final.

Pakistan cricket‘s plight is no better either. Pakistan’s winless (3 defeats from 3 games) Champions Trophy display had caused so much fury and frustration among supporters that they pelted stones and bottles at the team bus as it left Edgbaston. Pakistan were pushed to the embarrassment of becoming the first Test playing nation to be beaten by an Associate nation in an international series, with only a gritty lower-order rearguard from Wahab Riaz saving Pakistan the blushes.

It is only fair to say that a battle of equals will unfurl when these two sides clash in the 5-match ODI series that kicks off with the opening ODI at Guyana on July 14, Sunday. The ODI series will be followed by a brief two-match T20 series.

If anybody is looking for mini-battles within the battle, do not miss out on Chris Gayle vs Mohammad Irfan. The 7 foot tall bowler’s trampolining bounce and raw pace throws the 22 yards out of the equation. Chris Gayle’s pyrotechnics need no introduction. However, the malfunctioning middle order comprising Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels is a major cause for worry. Captain Dwayne Bravo himself has struggled with both form and fitness issues.

Lendl Simmons, who hit 67 in West Indies’ last game has staked his claim for a temporary, if not permanent tenancy in the side. The spunky all-rounder can don the ‘keeping gloves too, proving that he is a jack of all trades.

Sunil Narine, having missed West Indies’ last match against Sri Lanka, has been deemed fit. Kemar Roach, who sliced through Pakistan’s top order in the Champions Trophy encounter in June is capable of intimidating batsmen with raw pace alone.

Pakistan’s bowling though appears stronger. The pace trio of Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan have also mastered the art of reverse swing besides swinging the new ball. Shahid Afridi‘s fizzers and Saeed Ajmal Ajmal’s guile can sting the Windies batting. Ajmal’s magical spell (5-37) floored Guyana in the practice match leading up to the main event. The charismatic Afridi makes a comeback after being overlooked for the Champions Trophy.

Unless Pakistan’s batting clicks collectively, the bowling will pale into insignificance. The onus will be on the batsmen to avert the self-destruction and follow their captain’s footsteps.

With Kamran Akmal axed from the squad, his brother Umar will deputize as ‘keeper. Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has promised that his team would bounce back from the debacle in England. Can the Pakistan translate this promise into performance? Only time will tell us.

Probable XIs:

West Indies: C Gayle, J Charles, Darren Bravo, M Samuels, K Pollard, L Simmons, D Sammy, Dwayne Bravo(c), S Narine, K Roach, T Best

Pakistan: N Jamshed, A Shehzad, M Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), A Shafiq, U Akamal, S Afridi, S Ajmal, W Riaz, M Irfan, J Khan

Key Players:

Johnson Charles: While Charles is no Gayle, he can hurt the opposition with equal power and muscle. His low bat lifts, attacking swipes and wafts are known to put off bowlers. With the under-performing Dinesh Ramdin getting the boot, opener Charles is expected to keep wickets as well.

Misbah-ul-Haq: Misbah was the lone ranger in Pakistan’s horrendous batting effort in the Champions Trophy. The Pakistani skipper rotates the strike efficiently like Javed Miandad before launching explosion and innovation at the death.

Prediction: West Indies will draw first blood in the series.