Pakistan vs. West Indies 2nd ODI: Five players to watch out for

Pakistan bowler Shahid Afridi (C) celebrates with his teammates as West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo (2nd L) LBW for 0 during the 1st ODI at Guyana National Stadium on July 14, 2013. Pakistan crushed West Indies by 126 runs. (Getty Images)

Pakistan landed the first blow in the five-match series being played against West Indies at Guyana courtesy an unparalleled performance by Shahid Afridi. The comeback man bailed Pakistan out from a top-order meltdown scoring a breezy knock of 76 runs of just 55 balls propelling Pakistan’s total to a competitive 224.

West Indies pressed the self-demolition button early on in the innings as Chris Gayle was run-out. Md. Irfan picked up the key scalp of Johnson Charles, who had a good run at the Tri-Nation tournament earlier this month.

However, it was Afridi who completed the job picking up an astonishing seven wickets while giving just 12 runs. It was the second-best bowling spell in the history of ODI cricket.

Pakistan, however, won’t be on top of the world as their batting line-up failed once again with only two batsmen being able to score over 20 runs. This is something that ailed them at the Champions Trophy as well and if not corrected, it will come to bite them at some stage in the series.

West Indies, on the other hand, had one bright spark in Jason Holder’s performance with the ball but they have many flaws to address. They are overtly reliant upon the opening partnership between Gayle and Charles.

They have a number of players who have been in a slump. Kieron Pollard’s last five innings, for instance, have seen him score three golden ducks with no score in crossing the double figure mark. They will be hoping for some individual brilliance in the second ODI to save face.

Here is a list of five players who can leave a mark in the second ODI between West Indies and Pakistan: