The series isn’t dead after all. West Indies took note of every place Pakistan faltered in the first game and made sure to use it to their advantage in the second ODI. There were a few episodes of rain that finally truncated the game. Pakistan had a late-innings blitz that helped the total look somewhat respectable. Some early breakthroughs gave the visitors some hope, but all of it was bundled out by the West Indies middle order, who got their team over the line with 10 balls and five wickets to spare.
It was the first time in eight years that West Indies defeated Pakistan in an ODI game. But it could get worse for the visitors if the series decider goes against them, in which case, this will be a first since 1977-78, when Pakistan lost an ODI series to the Windies.
Team Overview:
Pakistan’s top order has failed to impress in both games so far. They had managed to get a fair bit of runs on the board in the first game, albeit laced with dot balls. The second match, however, saw them put up a shoddy batting display. Strike rotation, at one point, was nearly non-existent, which surged the dot balls. Consequently, the pressure cranked up too. It was the same pressure that helped West Indies draw their first blood when Saim attempted to go big.
And while the inclusion of Hasan Ali, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz paid off well as they took all five of the wickets, Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s main pacer, going wicketless isn’t a sight the side would want to behold.
West Indies’ top four batters were equally, if not more, dismal. However, the recovery orchestrated by Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase, in addition to a decent bowling display, ensured it did not hurt them. However, they will need a stronger hold on the batting lineup for high-total games, which, for all we know, could come in the series decider.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Having won 72 of 139 games, three of which ended in a tie, the hosts have an edge over Pakistan, who have only won 64 games against them. However, Pakistan have clearly dominated West Indies in recent times.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Hoping Tarouba will dish out a surface that allows going over 300 would be foolish. The surface clearly made the batters sweat hard to put runs on the board. With only three games played here till now, it’s difficult to understand the surface too accurately; however, slower balls seemed to have brought plenty of reward in the first game.
It was super humid during the first ODI, and rain made its way into the second ODI, more than once, as a matter of fact. A similar type of weather can be expected for the final ODI too. There was plenty of rain on the eve of the match day, and more is predicted to come.
The toss-winning captain will look to bowl first, given both games so far were won by teams chasing the target.
Prediction:
Plenty rests on how both teams utilize the first stages of the innings. Whoever starts strongly is likely to win the game as well as the series.
Where to Watch:
West Indies: ESPN
Pakistan: Tapmad, Tamasha, A Sports
India: Fancode
UK: TNT Sports 1
USA: ESPN+
