Pakistan vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match 2: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

West Indies take on Pakistan in what will be the first match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 for each side. That immediately makes it a match they ideally should win – it’s a long tournament, but at the big stage, there’s nothing like a win to ensure there’s no pressure in the long-run.

West Indies look good to do that. While their first warm-up match against South Africa was washed out, they were unstoppable thereafter against a much-fancied New Zealand side. They flexed their batting muscles to post 421 in 49.2 overs – New Zealand responded with a fine 330, but a normally fine total proved insufficient against West Indies’ batting might.

With their bowling being less impressive, batting very clearly is West Indies’ strength, and they will rely on that heavily in the tournament. Pakistan, meanwhile, had a worrying time of it in their warm-ups.

They lost their first to Afghanistan in Bristol, their batsmen being restricted to 262 before Afghanistan coasted to a three-wicket win. Their batsmen looked out of sorts for the most part, unlike in the ODIs against England, although Wahab Riaz’s blistering spell was cause for optimism as far as the team is concerned.

It’ll therefore be a contest between West Indies’ batters and Pakistan’s bowlers, seemingly. Who will come out on top?

Head to head

The teams are pretty evenly matched in history. In 133 matches, West Indies have won 70 to Pakistan’s 60. As many as 10 of those matches came in World Cups, with West Indies winning seven to Pakistan’s three. West Indies are definitely favoured here.

Key players

Babar Azam (Pakistan): A lot of Pakistan’s batting hopes will rest on Azam. The top-order batsman scored a century in the warm-up against Afghanistan and generally looks in good form going into the tournament. He will be key.

Shai Hope (West Indies): The West Indies youngster is highly rated, and rightly so. He scored a fine century in the warm-up against New Zealand, and is the glue that holds the batting together. Pakistan’s pacers will be eyeing him keenly.

Likely XIs

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c/wk), Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz.

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach.

Prediction

West Indies to power past Pakistan.