Champions Trophy: Pakistan vs West Indies, Match 2, Group B – WI Preview

West Indies celebrate after Denesh Ramdin caught Matthew Wade during the West Indies v Australia in a warm up match at Cardiff.

West Indies had a memorable time playing in the Champions Trophy the last time it was held in England, as they came back from hopeless position to win the tournament in 2004 at The Oval, incidentally the same venue where they will be begin their campaign against Pakistan on Friday.

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and Ramnaresh Sarwan were involved in that famous game nine years ago and now are part of a side that has the capability to go all the way in this competition. West Indies finally started showing the promise under the leadership of Darren Sammy to reach the glorifying heights of yesteryears; he also led them to the World Twenty20 title, but indifferent form in the ODI format meant Bravo was appointed as his replacement as captain.

West Indies have defeated only one high ranked team in a bilateral series, New Zealand, whom they defeated 4-1 last July at home, in last three years. But skipper Bravo is optimistic about his players and he believes if Pakistan has world’s best bowling line-up, then he has got world’s best batsmen in his side. West Indies have not been in good form in recent past. The fact can be highlighted by the events at the turn of the year when they got the 5-0 mauling at the hands of Australia.

So for them to win, the Big Five, all match winners in their own right, will have to stand up and be counted. Gayle made his intentions clear when he said he wants to play deep into the innings. Samuels, who is voted one of Wisden’s top five cricketers of 2013, will be the linchpin between the top and lower order, and more than useful with the ball with his 120 kph darts. Pollard needs to bring his finishing skills which are so effective in Twenty20 cricket on a consistent basis in 50-over cricket.

But the two people who will be most vital are the former and current captains: Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy. Bravo, who took over the ODI leadership from Sammy, has earned the respect of his players, being the one of the most senior member after Gayle, Sarwan and Samuels. More than his all-round abilities, it will be his leadership style that will determine the Windies approach in this tournament. In the past, Bravo has been seen isolated at times. He needs to team-up with Sammy, and be flexible in changing plans whenever the going gets tough.

Head-to-Head:

In ICC ODI tournaments, Pakistan have beaten West Indies on four occasions while losing eight times. Recently, though, Pakistan have outperformed West Indies when they came face to face in the group match of 2009 Champions Trophy which Pakistan won by 5 wickets. Six months after that Champions Trophy match, both sides met in Dhaka for the quarter-final of ICC World Cup 2011. Pakistan again, under Shahid Afridi, won the quarter-final by 10 wickets.

But in England the tables completely turn, as West Indies have won 4 of the 5 ODIs against Pakistan here.