Champions Trophy: Match 2, Group B, Pakistan vs West Indies - PAK Preview

Pakistan has quite a few i’s to dot and a few t’s to cross as it gears to take on West Indies in the second league match of the 2013 Champions Trophy. Though the team has had a mixed bag of results in the past few months, their preparation for the Champions Trophy has been quite extensive.

In their last warm-up game against South Africa, Pakistan won comfortably, restricting South Africa to a mediocre total of 202 runs. Against West Indies, it will look to emulate the same performance though it will have a tough task ahead with the likes of Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Sunil Narine and Ravi Rampaul accounting for the West Indian line-up.

Team Strengths

Pakistan has the one of the strongest bowling outfits. Their bowling depth strikes out with Asad Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Mohammed Irfan who have been pegged to be potentially instrumental for Pakistan. As far as their batting goes, Pakistan will be relying on Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, skipper Misbah ul-Haq, Nasir Jamshed and Imran Farhat to get their team total going.

Team Weaknesses

Although Pakistan does have batting credentials, their batsmen are prone to losing their wicket without offering much resistance. The lack of partnerships could hamper Pakistan’s chances even if their bowlers succeed in routing the West Indies off. The biggest focus of Pakistan will thus be on its batsmen abilities to make their innings count, so as to pose adequate threat to the other teams in the Group.

Opportunities and Threats

Since most of the Pakistani squad is that of newcomers, unused to the English conditions, this is a perfect opportunity to prove their mettle. Also considering the recent turbulent scenarios that Pakistani cricket has had to endure, the tournament gives the team a chance to regroup and claim the only top-tiered trophy that has eluded them.

The ensemble cast of the West Indian team pose a big threat to Pakistan. Most of the West Indians have had a successful campaign at the IPL with Bravo, Gayle, Sammy and Narine potently outshining. Pakistan will thus need to be quite wary about these players, especially if their batting doesn’t get the job done as necessary.

Pitch Factor

The Kennington Oval is being used for the first time in 10 months. Though the pitch has a reputation for aiding batsmen and big totals, the past couple of matches played out have been quite mid-scoring games with the team batting second chasing the target comfortably. Today’s conditions are expected to be sunny with temperatures ranging around 9 ?C minimum to a maximum of 19 ?C.

Pakistan will have an idea about playing under these conditions considering that it played its last warm-up match against South Africa at the same venue with some substantial outcome in its favour.