International cricket is back in Pakistan on Monday when West Indies are the visitors for the first of three T20 internationals in Karachi, in a contest which as well as marking the return of action in this part of the world, also forms the early stages of preparation for the T20 World Cup next year.
These two sides had very different T20 World Cup campaigns in the UAE and it will be interesting to see whether that is a form guide here or whether West Indies can find their mojo in difficult circumstances and turn it on its head.
Pakistan
This is obviously a big day for Pakistan. There isn’t just cricket back in Pakistan but one of the best T20 sides in the world are here too. That means this won’t be an exhibition for the home side or anything like that. In fact, there is a chance they could be seriously tested if they are slightly off guard so the World Cup semi-finalists will need a complete performance if they are to take the early initiative in the series.
The good thing for Pakistan is that there were no weaknesses in their side in the T20 World Cup, they just fell to the conditions in the semi-final. Since then Pakistan have been to Bangladesh and won three straight matches so Babar Azam and his men are building up quite a head of steam in this format of the game. The pressure will be on their batters here because this ground in Karachi is usually full of runs and they face a dangerous side here.
West Indies
This has been a tricky start to the tour for West Indies as they have encountered three positive Covid-19 tests to players who would probably have played a key part for them in this series. A few of the players come here from Sri Lanka where they were involved in a tough couple of Test matches so the first thing West Indies have to do is ensure they are in the right head space for these T20 games. That isn’t necessarily a given and to be fair with all that has gone on you couldn’t blame them if they are not.
If they are then the obvious test is for their batters to go a whole lot better than they did in the UAE. They got nothing going as a unit and while they offered up the odd individual big innings, they were never able to convince. That put a lot of pressure on their bowlers and that unit are going to be under the pump here too because this ground is usually full of runs. It will take something special for West Indies to win here but they have players who can tee off and damage any side.
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Team News
Pakistan are not completely at full strength for this match. Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik have all been rested so the likes of Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Wasim could feature in this opening match of the three.
We now know that West Indies are going to be without the trio of Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers and Sheldon Cottrell for this series so the likes of Dominic Drakes, Odean Smith and Romario Shepherd could well see action in their place.
Betting
There have been four T20 internationals at Karachi and in the three that Pakistan have batted first in they have scored more than 200 each time which makes me think we are in for plenty of runs here. I guess the concern is West Indies batting first but there is likely to be absolutely nothing in the pitch for the bowlers and the men from the Caribbean tend to be very strong with the bat in those conditions. It is when there is something in the pitch that they end up in two minds and get nowhere.
You would have to think the Pakistan batters will be at home in their home conditions and even if they are not they are facing a largely second string West Indies bowling unit here. There might not be a Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard or Andre Russell to go bonkers for the tourists with the bat but the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo and Brandon King are more than capable of doing it. When I put that all together I like the look of over 304.5 runs.
Tips
Back Over 304.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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