West Indies vs Pakistan 2021, 2nd Test: Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI

Both West Indies and Pakistan had their fair share of moments in the first Test, however, the hosts had the last laugh. Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales added 17 runs for the last wicket to help West Indies reach home and win the first Test by 1 wicket. Pakistan’s sloppy work in the field once again came to haunt them.

Had they hold onto the catches they dropped in the final session, they would have won the game. As it stands, West Indies currently lead the series 1-0 with one game left to play. In this article, here’s a look at Pakistan’s predicted playing XI:

West Indies vs Pakistan 2021, 2nd Test: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI

1. Imran Butt:

Imran Butt took some mind-blowing catches while standing at slips in the first Test. However, his performances with the bat were disappointing, to say the least. He scored 11 off 26 balls in the first innings and followed it with a duck in the next. Kemar Roach got his wicket on both occasions.

2. Abid Ali:

Abid got out for just 9 runs in the first innings but showed his mettle in the next innings. He played exquisite shots in the offside and showed why he is rated so highly by Pakistan in the longest format. He scored 34 off 66 balls in Pakistan’s second innings before Jayden Seales ended his stay at the crease.

3. Azhar Ali:

Azhar Ali is, undoubtedly, a vital cog in Pakistan’s batting line-up. He made decent cameos of 17 and 23 runs in the first innings. For Pakistan to win the next game, his contribution with the bat is going to be vital. The former Pakistan skipper ought to come up with a big score in an important game for the visitors.

4. Babar Azam

Babar Azam would be disappointed to have got out after making a vital half-century for the team. Had he gone onto convert that into a big one, Pakistan would have easily won the game. Nevertheless, the skipper is in fine form and that is a positive sign for the visitors.

5. Fawad Alam

On seaming tracks in West Indies, Fawad Alam isn’t expected to help Pakistan a lot with the ball. However, the southpaw does a vital job as far as batting is concerned. He scored a half-century in the first innings of the first Test to guide West Indies past the 200-run mark.

6. M Rizwan 

Pakistan wicket-keeper, Mohammad Rizwan takes the number sixth position. He has been making waves across formats in the last couple of years. Rizwan is one of the biggest assets for Pakistan and would be key to their fortunes for the final game of the tour. In the first Test, he scored 23 and 30 respectively.

7. Faheem Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf showed how effective he can be for the Pakistan Test team in the first Test. He added valuable 44 runs for the side in the first innings before scoring 20 runs in the next. Besides, he pitched the ball in good areas and looked in a good rhythm. He finished with three wickets in the match.

8. Shaheen Afridi 

Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan in the first Test. He troubled the batsmen with his pace and the angle at which he bowls. He picked four each in both the innings and almost won the game for the side.

9. Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali dropped an important catch in the final session of the fourth which proved to be the match-defining moment. He would be disappointed with his efforts. Though, he bowled quite well during the Test. He finished with four wickets to his name in the end.

10. M Abbas 

Mohammad Abbas made good use of the new ball and made the batsmen’s life tough with his swing. Abbas pitched the ball at the right areas and extracted great movement from the surface. He picked three wickets in the West Indies‘ first innings. He went wicketless in the next innings, however.

11. Naseem Shah

With Yasir Shah not getting enough help from the surface, Naseem Shah might replace him in the eleven for the second Test. His raw pace and seam movement would be beneficial in the Caribbean conditions.