The first Test between Pakistan and West Indies begins in Kingston today, in what is turning out to be a mirror reflection of the reverse tour when Pakistan played hosts to Windies in the UAE in October/November last year. Pakistan whitewashed West Indies in the T20 series and the ODI series, winning the first two Tests before going on to lose the final 5-day encounter in Sharjah.
This time round, while Pakistan have lost a game each in the T20 and ODI series, which were significantly more competitive than the reverse encounters in the UAE, it’s the Test squad that has been the focus of attention, even as the limited-overs sides were battling it out on the field. This, after all, is the farewell series for Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, who made back to back retirement announcements before the tour.
If the billing of the three-match series is about Misbah and Younis leaving on a high, Pakistan would have to earn every bit of it
While Misbah’s retirement was expected and had been a topic of discussion for a good part of a year, if not more, Younis did indeed spring a surprise with his announcement. Even so, one can’t help but feel that the time is right for both to bid adieu after achieving so much in their respective and, more often than not, united domain.
And so, that is the official billing of the tournament. It’s the swansong for Misbah and Younis – the most successful Test captain and the most prolific Test batsman in Pakistan’s history.
After being completely outdone in Australia, which for Misbah was the sendoff he had aimed to get had the result been different, Pakistan’s skipper now has the chance to lead the first ever Pakistani side to a Test series win in the West Indies.
But rest assured the series is anything but a foregone conclusion. And if Pakistan’s performance in the warm-up match against the West Indies President’s XI is anything to go by, it might turn out to be tougher than the ODI and T20 series, both of which were grueling encounters.
Against the President’s XI neither the Pakistani batting, nor the bowling, showed any signs of encouragement. Barring Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed, both of whom scored fifties, none of the batsmen contributed much to the score as Pakistan were bowled out for 192. Misbah and Younis combined for 15 runs.
The bowling didn’t fare much better in two takes at the President’s XI. Shimron Hetmyer and Kieran Powell scored half-centuries and Vishaul Singh a century, and the trio has been duly called up to play for the senior side in the Test series starting today.
If the billing of the three-match series is to allow Misbah and Younis to leave on a high, after back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and Australia, Pakistan would have to earn every bit of it. For, the last thing the legacies of Misbah and Younis need is a hat-trick of overseas series losses as a sending off.
Younis Khan
In addition to Misbah and Younis, the series is also huge for Azhar Ali who, along with Asad, has arguably been Pakistan’s best Test batsman in the recent past. While both his leadership and his batting might have not fared well in the ODIs, Azhar is the veritable backbone of the Pakistani batting lineup. Azhar and Asad would be expected to take up the roles of Misbah and Younis after their retirement.
While it is expected that Sarfraz Ahmed would be named the Test captain as well, a lot depends on how this series pans out for him and Azhar. The latter was a lot more comfortable leading the Test side in New Zealand in the one Test that Misbah missed, even though Pakistan lost. When his own place in the side is beyond doubt, unlike ODIs, Azhar is a different captain and a different batsman. A strong show in the West Indies might put him in contention to replace Misbah as the Test skipper.
Yasir Shah
Sarfraz, of course, is doing pretty much everything right and remains the favourite to take over the Test side. Even so, one can’t help but feel how the captaincy overkill might impact Sarfraz in the long run, given he is still a fresh captain in international cricket.
With additional responsibility looming Asad Shafiq would also be looking for a strong performance, while Ahmed Shehzad looks to establish himself up top in Tests.
The bowling has failed to impress for a while, and over a year and a half since his comeback, we’re all still waiting for Mohammed Amir to take up the responsibility of leading Pakistan’s bowling by the scruff of its neck. Yasir Shah remains Pakistan’s trump card, and let’s see how he responds to the challenge posed by the rise of Shadab Khan.
Like any other series, the first match will be crucial to the outcome of the series. If Pakistan want to register their first Test series win on West Indian soil they can’t afford to go one nil down.
