The Test series between Pakistan and the West Indies gets underway on Thursday with just the second ever day-night Test match to be staged. The pink ball will be in operation at international level in the UAE for the first time and the eyes of plenty will be on the match to see how it pans out.
This is a three match series so there is an emphasis on both sides to hit the ground running. Whoever wins here will have complete control of the series and with these sorts of tracks in the UAE that can be a really big advantage.
Pakistan
This is the first time Pakistan have been involved in Test cricket since their 2-2 draw with England. I said at the time that was a series they could have won and the way it panned out it was one they should have won but nobody argues with a 2-2 in English conditions.
They went into that series as the underdogs but now they are the emphatic favourites for this one so that in itself brings a different dimension to things but something in me tells me Pakistan will quite like being in that position. I expect them to embrace it that is for sure.
West Indies
West Indies will be playing their first Test cricket since they were comfortable beaten back in the Caribbean by India. In truth they were outclassed from start to finish in that series apart from one day where Roston Chase announced himself to the world. They need to have found a way to be more competitive here.
Since then the coach has bitten the dust and in the six limited overs matches they have played on this tour they have been pathetic in the lot of them so that doesn’t bode well but if they can have a couple of good days early on here in Dubai then they might get into a position where they can put some pressure on Pakistan.
Team News
Pakistan are set to change their make up for this match. They are going to play an all-rounder in Mohammad Nawaz with five batsmen, the keeper and four bowlers. Younis Khan is recovering from Dengue fever with Babar Azam most likely to replace him.
West Indies don’t have many selection issues which is surprising given the shambles they have looked recently. Their only selection decision appears to be about the second spinner which seems to be between Devendra Bishoo and Jomel Worrican. I’d imagine the former will get the nod.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
This will be the 10th match to be played on this ground. Pakistan have a decent record in the previous nine here having won five and lost two of them. There have been two draws. This is the first time West Indies will have played here.
The seamers quite often find something in this wicket early on and I’m expecting that to be the case again here and potentially even more so when the lights come on and the ball starts swinging. That said it is still pretty good for batting so first innings runs will be crucial.
Betting
There isn’t a whole lot I like in this match if I am honest. If I knew Yasir Shah was going to bat twice I might have taken his performance line but we don’t and it is just a little high if he needs to cover it with wickets so in the end I’ve decided to go with a couple of smaller bets as I’m already on Pakistan to win the match via the outright bet.
I think Coral are taking a huge risk offering up 4/5 on the West Indies to hit more than 1.5 sixes in their first innings. We know West Indies aren’t a side who rotates the strike and with the boundaries here on the more accessible side I’m expecting that line to be covered especially if there is dew around and the bowlers struggle to grip the ball.
This might not be the best of batting line ups but we quite often see one of them just slog from nowhere and if the likes of Samuels, Blackwood, Brathwaite or Holder have a dip they’ll hit a couple of sixes in no time.
I’m also going to chance Jason Holder to be the top batsman for the visitors. He bats with real responsibility now he is captain and in a side that have surrendered often on this tour already that discipline could be vital. He is 20/1 and he is a longshot but this is a guy who has four 50s and a century at this level and 50 or so could be enough here.
Tips
Back West Indies Over 1.5 1st Inns sixes for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
Back it here:
Back J.Holder Top West Indies 1st Inns Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with William Hill
Back him here:
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