Overview:
Pacers will get a bit of help from the track with the new ball. Meanwhile, the spinners can also influence the game in the middle overs.
West Indies and Pakistan take on each other in a crunch 3-match ODI series. Both sides come into this series on the back of a three-match T20I series, which the visitors won 2-1 in Lauderhill, Florida, USA. Notably, all three matches of the ODI series will be held at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. Will be keen to showcase their strengths in the 50-over format. They have won three successive ODI series at home and are chasing a fourth win. Pakistan are under the cosh in ODIs, faltering in all three assignments this year.
West Indies, under Shai Hope, named a 15-member squad for the ODIs against Pakistan. They have rested pacer Alzarri Joseph with Rovman Powell missing with injury. Shimron Hetmyer has been ignored by the Windies, who have included 23-year-old Jediah Blades after he made his debut against Bangladesh. He retains his place in the side alongside the 18-year-old Jewel Andrew.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are back alongside Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali. Notably, Babar, Rizwan and Naseem aren’t part of the T20I scheme of things for Pakistan at the moment. It is a strong Pakistan side that will be without Haris Rauf.
West Indies squad for the ODI series against Pakistan
Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
Pakistan squad for the ODI series against West Indies
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem, Saim Ayub, Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem.
In terms of the H2H record, the West Indies and Pakistan have met 137 times in ODI cricket. West Indies have gone on to claim a total of 71 wins to Pakistan’s tally of 63. Meanwhile, a total of three matches have been tied, as per ESPNcricinfo. On West Indies soil, the hosts have a 16-15 win-loss record from 33 ODI matches. Two games have been tied.
West Indies probable XI for the three-match series
Brandon King, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph.
Pakistan probable XI for the three-match series
Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed.
The 1st ODI match will start at 11:30pm IST on August 8 inTrinidad. The next two games on August 10 and 12 will start at 7:00pm IST.
Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad & Key Details of the Stadium
The Brian Lara Stadium is located in Tarouba, Trinidad, West Indies. Established in the year 2007, the stadium can host around 15000 spectators. The stadium was supposed to host the ICC 2007 World Cup warm-up matches, but failure to complete it in time meant that the matches were shifted elsewhere. In 2017, the CPL final was held here. The first First-Class game was held here in November 2017. The stadium serves as a training facility for cricketers and boasts four indoor cricket training pitches with computerised biometric technology to measure an athlete’s performance. It also has two full-length run-up pitches for fast bowlers. The stadium also has areas specifically designed for the print, radio and television media.
What is the Pitch Like at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad?
In general, the wicket at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad is expected to favour bowlers. As far as batters are concerned, they will need to apply themselves and score accordingly. Pacers will get a bit of help from the track with the new ball. Meanwhile, the spinners can also influence the game in the middle overs. Only one ODI has been played here, with India beating WI by 200 runs. Indian pacers enjoyed 8 wickets in that contest.
Key Stats & Records at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
As mentioned, only 1 match (ODIs) has been held here. India took on the West Indies in 2023. India posted a mammoth score of 351/5 in 50 overs. Ishank Kishan, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya hammered half-centuries. Indian batters smashed 28 fours and 14 sixes.
In response, WI faltered in the chase. They managed 151 in 35.3 overs. Shardul Thakur managed 4/37 with Mukesh Kumar bagging 3/30 from 7 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat were amongst the wickets as well.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the average run rate posted by India (batting first) reads 7.02. The average run rate batting second posted by WI reads 4.25.
Among active batters from WI, Gudakesh Motie owns 39 runs here from1 match. He hammered an unbeaten 39 against India. Motie also owns the best figures by a Windies bowler here (1/38).
WI vs PAK: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
According to the weather forecast, the weather in Trinidad for the 1st ODI is likely to remain overcast with a bit of sun in between throughout the day. One can expect some rain to interrupt play.
WI vs PAK: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
Both sides come into this series on the back of disappointing performances in their last ODI series. With the deck providing a challenge for batters, it’s hard to pick a clear advantage for a particular side. Both sides have able pacers who can vary their lengths and work things in their favour. Batters need to spend time and look to settle in here.
FAQs – Pitch Report for Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
What is the pitch report for Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad?
The surface here at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad, is expected to favour bowlers. As far as batters are concerned, they will need to apply themselves and score accordingly. Pacers will get a bit of help from the track with the new ball. Meanwhile, the spinners can also influence the game in the middle overs.
What is the West Indies’ record at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad?
As per ESPNcricinfo, the West Indies have played only 1 match here. They lost to India by a mammoth margin of 200 runs.