The third and final T20 between Pakistan and the West Indies takes place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and both sides head into it knowing that the series has already been decided when Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead with back to back wins in Dubai.
There is a one day series to follow this match so although this is a dead rubber there might be slightly more significance on it if you believe that momentum could carry through into the ODIs. Pakistan will be eyeing up a series whitewash while West Indies need to arrest their slump.
Pakistan
There has been nothing unusual or extreme about the two wins Pakistan have delivered so far in this series. They have batted with care and attention in par scores in mind and then they have trusted their bowling attack to get the job done and the likes of Imad Wasim have really stood up with the ball and been counted.
If there is a concern for Pakistan we’ve not really seen what their middle to lower order can do although we saw that Imad Wasim was in good form with the willow over in England and Umar Akmal is a confident chap at the best of times so any concern about that is only a minimal one.
West Indies
The tourists have been competitive with the ball in this series at times but with the bat they have been absolutely wretched and unless that changes it is hard to see them getting much joy either in this match or in the ODIs which follow.
Their style is very much one which works when they are on fire and going well but when things get tough they can get bogged down because they rely on hitting their way out of trouble rather than rotating the strike and in these conditions it is the latter which is the way to the gold so it will be interesting to see if they can change their style or not.
Team News
Mickey Arthur has been quoted that he wants to see Mohammad Amir in this match ahead of the ODIs so we should expect him to come in for either Wahab Riaz or Hasan Ali. That could be the only change for them.
It would be a surprise if the West Indies don’t change their batting line up either in personnel or in the order they bat because it clearly isn’t working. Rovman Powell could be in line for a debut if they choose to change the personnel.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium
There have been 18 past T20 internationals on this ground although Pakistan have only played in four of them. It hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for them as they have only won one and lost three of those matches. This will be the first time that West Indies have played in this format on this ground.
This is a much bigger ground than the one in Dubai and that is reflected in the scores where there is only one first innings score over 160 in the last nine matches here. Rotating the strike and running between the wickets is very much a big thing here.
Betting
I’m not one for betting on dead rubbers as I’ve said a few times but this one is an exception because I’ve seen nothing in the first two matches that suggests that the West Indies are likely to turn things around. You can’t just bash sixes on this ground. The size of the ground and the wicket itself doesn’t allow for that.
Although they have a losing record here Pakistan should be better suited to the conditions and with Sarfraz looking like he has rejuvenated them since he became captain I’ll take them to win a third successive match in the series.
Tips
WON – Back Pakistan to beat West Indies for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfair
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pak will win this 58%