The pitch in Multan is expected to behave similarly to the one in the first Test. But can the West Indies adapt and perform better this time?
Big Picture
The upcoming Test match is easy to predict: West Indies will be ready for the spin challenge that Pakistan will present, while Pakistan will continue to prepare pitches that favor their spinners. As soon as the two captains step onto the field for the toss, it's likely that the wicket will begin to crack, setting the stage for spin bowling right from the start.
However, understanding the challenge isn't the same as overcoming it. The surfaces that crack and crumble under the winter heat in Pakistan may be predictable, but playing on them is another matter. The West Indies' success will depend on their ability to execute their plans effectively, and any mistakes from the first Test will have been addressed.
At the conclusion of the first Test, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite challenged his team to improve, noting that they were competitive in key moments and had room for growth. His words were meant to instill belief, and his team will need to build on that foundation.
In the first Test, the West Indies spinners showed they could match Pakistan's. Jomel Warrican even outperformed all of his Pakistani counterparts in terms of figures. With Kemar Roach, the best fast bowler on either side, they have an advantage, although fast bowling will be a rare commodity in these conditions. West Indies also found success with the sweep and reverse-sweep shots, making runs even if not without risk. Their lower order also contributed valuable runs—something Pakistan's bowling attack has struggled to contain in any conditions.
Pakistan’s head coach, Aaqib Javed, has passionately defended the spin-friendly pitches, but he is aware that not everyone is convinced. Concerns over the impact on Pakistan’s Test batting and fast bowling still linger. Nevertheless, Javed firmly believes the pitches are key to Pakistan’s recent Test victories. With results continuing to go their way, they are under pressure to maintain this winning form, knowing that any downturn will bring heavy criticism.
Form Guide
- Pakistan: WLLWW (last five completed matches)
- West Indies: LLWLD
In the Spotlight - Shan Masood and Alick Athanaze
In Pakistan cricket, attention spans are short, and Shan Masood knows his time as captain is under scrutiny. Having been in charge for just under a full WTC cycle, Masood's leadership has often been questioned. With this being Pakistan’s final Test of what has been a disappointing year and a half, there are reports suggesting his captaincy is in jeopardy. However, Masood has a chance to make his case and end this cycle on a strong note. In his last three innings, he’s scored a century and a fifty, which could provide the foundation for a strong finish. A win here would give him four victories in his last six Tests.
For the West Indies, Alick Athanaze has impressed, particularly in the tough conditions in Multan. He scored a half-century in the fourth innings of the first Test, becoming the only visiting batter to do so. Athanaze has been in good form, having scored runs in the lead-up to the series, and has garnered praise from cricket greats like Brian Lara and Ian Bishop for his technique. If the West Indies' top order is to rise to the challenge, Athanaze will play a crucial role.
Team News
Pakistan: They have yet to confirm their playing XI, with Aqib Javed indicating they will take one final look at the surface before making their decision.
Likely Pakistan XI:
- Shan Masood (capt)
- Muhammad Hurraira
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Salman Agha
- Noman Ali
- Sajid Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Khurram Shahzad
West Indies: The visitors are also yet to announce their lineup. Jayden Seales is missing due to a leg niggle, but Kemar Roach is available again, along with Amir Jangoo.
Likely West Indies XI:
- Kraigg Brathwaite (capt)
- Mikyle Louis
- Keacy Carty
- Alick Athanaze
- Kavem Hodge
- Justin Greaves
- Tevin Imlach/Amir Jangoo (wk)
- Gudakesh Motie
- Kevin Sinclair
- Jomel Warrican
- Kemar Roach
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch in Multan will likely mirror the conditions of the first Test. The weather has remained cold and dry, so any significant change in conditions would be surprising.
Stats and Trivia
- None of the last 62 wickets Pakistan have taken in home Tests have been from a fast bowler.
- Pakistan has not won back-to-back Test series since February 2021.
Quotes
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Aaqib Javed: "Of course, we were right to prepare a spin pitch against West Indies. Their batters are not as proficient against spin compared to fast bowling."
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Kraigg Brathwaite: "I’ve played on surfaces that spun from day one, but this was the first time I’ve seen such cracks on a pitch on day one."
This rewrite keeps the same information but structures it with a clearer flow while trimming unnecessary words. It keeps the tone and technical details intact for an audience interested in the match preview.