Friday, February 14, 2025

CRICKET BLOG FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS

Get your fix of cricket news, opinion, Dream11 fantasy cricket predictions, fan-led content & more.

HomeCricBlogCWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11

Date:

LATEST STORIES & CRICKET BLOGS

Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11. PAK vs WI Preview Dream11 Prediction

The second match of the 2019 World Cup is in line with the tournament theme. Unpredictable.

Pakistan and West Indies, two Semi Final challengers, face off in what promises to be a cracking match in Nottingham.

Let’s begin with Pakistan. Unpredictable Pakistan. Their ODI form since the beginning of 2018 has been mighty underwhelming, but this is a side that can never be written off. The Warm-up game against Afghanistan was disappointing, but still, they can’t be written off. Their 2017 Champions Trophy campaign in England is testament to this. However, consistency, stamina and discipline will be put to the test across nine games, so it’s important Pakistan get off to a good start. Can they get a first up win?

On the other hand, there is plenty to like about West Indies’ form in 2019. They pushed England all the way, at times making a mockery of the world’s number one side. A number of their players lit up IPL 2019, and now they are coming off scoring 421 against a very capable New Zealand attack. West Indies are the dark horses of many, and they have a great opportunity to make a mark straight away in the tournament proper.

Can’t wait for this.

Also read: England vs South Africa – 5 key talking points from the World Cup opener

Key to a Pakistan win

When you’ve conceded 350+ in each of your past four ODIs, seeing West Indies make 421 can be a worrying sight. Significant onus rests on Pakistan’s bowlers (and fielders – remember the England series?) to limit the damage caused by the Windies batsmen. A good start is key, setting a platform for Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim to build some pressure in the middle overs. Given Pakistan bowled quite well at the death in their last ODI against England (despite the 350+ score), can they ensure they are well in the game by the time the death overs arrive? How well will they field? Can the likes of Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali discover their best form?

Also, while a potentially tough day awaits the bowlers, a potentially good one awaits the batsmen. West Indies have also conceded some big scores in recent times, including going the journey against Bangladesh and Ireland. Finding penetration in what is expected to be friendly batting conditions will be a challenge, so Pakistan’s top order needs to hit the ground running so the middle order isn’t under pressure too soon. Eyes will be on Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman and of course, Babar Azam. Then, importantly, can the middle order perform?

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11. PAK vs WI Dream11 Prediction. Dream11 for PAK vs WI. Cricket World Cup 2019. CWC 2019
CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11 – Can Fakhar Zaman rediscover his 2017 Champions Trophy form?

Key to a West Indies win

Shai Hope has backed West Indies in the race to 500. It is long odds of happening this game, despite the Windies piling on the runs against a New Zealand side that made life difficult for India’s batsmen last Saturday. The power-packed West Indies batting lineup is not only key in this match, but also their tournament prospects. Can Chris Gayle get off to a flyer, bringing a sense of deja vu to Pakistan after their England series? What about Shai Hope, whose form continues to rocket skywards? If a platform is set for the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Jason Holder, watch out.

However, can the Windies bowlers put on a good display? Pakistan’s batsmen have shown they can score big themselves in recent times, so Jason Holder’s men will be after an improvement on what they showed in Ireland recently. They struggled for wickets at times on good batting tracks, and given that similar tracks will await, finding movement and success in the powerplay overs is key. They were able to do it in the Warm-up against New Zealand, but can they continue the job? Will Sheldon Cottrell be the man early on? Or Kemar Roach and Oshane Thomas? The Windies have the pace to trouble teams, so their use of length can be crucial to victory. Also, what impact can their spinner have? These are crucial questions in a crucial game.

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11. PAK vs WI Dream11 Prediction. Dream11 for PAK vs WI. Cricket World Cup 2019. CWC 2019
Image credit: AP. CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11: “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle is still going strong.

Possible Playing 11

Asif Ali was left out of Pakistan’s preliminary World Cup squad. However, he showed his importance in the ODI series against England. Shoaib Malik, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain have been left out of the 12-man squad for this match.

Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Hafeez/Haris Sohail, 5. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), 6. Asif Ali, 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Wahab Riaz

West Indies showed plenty of power against New Zealand. We can be sure they will go with a similar approach here. However, Darren Bravo’s form has been poor, so Nicholas Pooran could get a look in.

West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Darren Bravo/Nicholas Pooran, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Fabian Allen/Ashley Nurse, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Oshane Thomas/Shannon Gabriel

Also read: England vs South Africa – 5 key talking points from the World Cup opener

Pitch and conditions

The forecast for Trent Bridge looks to be cloudy with minimal to no rain expected. In regards to the pitch, this is the ground England smashed 481/6 vs Australia last year. Just 12 days before this match, Pakistan scored 340 vs England before being run down with three wickets and balls to spare.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11. PAK vs WI Dream11 Prediction. Dream11 for PAK vs WI. Cricket World Cup 2019. CWC 2019
CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11

Option 2:

CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11. PAK vs WI Dream11 Prediction. Dream11 for PAK vs WI. Cricket World Cup 2019. CWC 2019
CWC 2019 Match 2: Pakistan vs West Indies Preview Dream11

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 10, Pakistan 3, West Indies 7.
  • Shai Hope since December 2018: 12 innings, 882 runs, average: 88.20.
  • Pakistan have won just three of 24 completed ODIs vs top eight teams since the start of 2018.
  • But, Pakistan are the reigning ICC Champions Trophy holders, held where the World Cup is being played.
  • West Indies and Pakistan also played each other in their first game in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups. Pakistan won in 1999. West Indies did in 2007.

Match Prediction

Who on earth do you pick in this match?

Two sides who can be brilliant on their day, but poor on another. World Cups are a different ball game, but Pakistan turning on a switch to get back into form doesn’t seem so easy. West Indies have been in the better form of late, which is why I will pick them to get a first up win.

Promises to be a cracking match.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: 3 good changes to see after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

Read the latest cricket stories and news on CricBlog and bet on your favorite cricket teams at 24betting India sportsbook. All new players get a welcome bonus on the first deposit.

LIVE CRICKET SCORES

FUTURE OF CRICKET