Despite holding a 1-0 series lead, the “home” team can ill-afford any complacency against West Indies when the two sides meet in the second Test starting in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Back to red-ball cricket
Normal service will be resumed with a traditional red ball and daylight play after both teams fought out a tension-packed pink-ball day-night Test in Dubai, which Pakistan won by a narrow 56-run margin.
See also:
• Watch: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reflects on first Test victory over West Indies in Dubai
• Paul Radley: Darren Bravo heroics not enough to prevent Pakistan victory in a Test of many 'firsts'
Scare for Pakistan in Dubai
Pakistan scored 579 for three declared, courtesy of Azhar Ali’s 302, and then dismissed West Indies for 357. But leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo turned the match upside down with figures of eight for 49 to wreck Pakistan for 123 in their second innings. Darren Bravo led the Windies’ 346-run chase with a fine 116, which came to an end when he was brilliantly caught and bowled by leg-spinner Yasir Shah. Twenty-six runs later, Pakistan wrapped up the game.
Expect a ‘tough’ game
The Windies comeback has left Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq worried. “It will be tough. With the kind of confidence the West Indian batsmen have got, it will be difficult to get them out in the second Test,” Misbah said. “I think both teams are used to the red ball and have more idea of it – batsmen and bowlers know how the red ball behaves – spinners and fast bowlers will get more help and there will be reverse swing.”
Babar and Younis to return
Misbah hinted that experienced left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, left out of the first Test, will replace one of the three seamers, likely Sohail Khan. Babar Azam will make way for experienced batsman Younis Khan who did not play in Dubai as he recovered from dengue fever.
Same West Indies line-up
West Indies are likely to remain unchanged. “There were a lot of positives from the first Test, so we need to keep that momentum and approach,” captain Jason Holder said, adding that they needed to take their chances on the field. Azhar had been dropped on 17 and 190.
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