Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey

PAK vs WI 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs WI 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs West Indies Key Players | Karachi Pitch Report

In fantastic news for all associated with Pakistan, international cricket returns to the country after a period of disappointment and heartbreak. New Zealand pulled out of their tour at the last minute, with England following suit soon after, raising doubts as to when cricket would be played again in Pakistan.

Soon after the World Cup, Babar Azam’s team will take the field in Karachi as they continue their preparations for next year’s showpiece tournament in Australia. Pakistan were so close to reaching the recent T20 World Cup Final, and then swept aside Bangladesh 3-0 in challenging conditions. As they build a solid team, they will be looking to continue the momentum against a West Indies side that will have to produce something special to challenge the home side.

The tourists are further depleted with COVID-19 infiltrating their squad. Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell and Kyle Mayers are all unavailable as a result, putting significant onus on the likes of Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran to lead the way from a batting perspective. Also, there is a big question mark as to whether the Windies attack – which is set to include members who performed well in CPL 2021 – can make inroads into Pakistan’s in form top order.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Pakistan:

• Babar Azam loves playing against West Indies. He has the most runs in PAK-WI T20Is, with 454 at an average of 56.75 and strike rate of 125.41.
• Also, Babar has a remarkable record in T20s at Karachi. In 26 matches, Babar has struck 1,178 runs at an average of 69.29 and strike rate of 135.56. No player has more runs than Azam on this ground.
• Mohammad Rizwan also enjoys batting at Karachi. In 10 innings on this ground, Rizwan has hit 390 runs at an average of 48.75 and strike rate of 134.48. Also, Rizwan is having a year to remember, with 1,833 runs in 45 short-form matches at an average of 55.55 and strike rate of 129.54.
• Fakhar Zaman is in some great form. The left-hander has struck 55*, 34 and 57* in his last three T20Is. He has a solid T20 record at Karachi, with 563 runs in 16 innings at an average of 37.53 and strike rate of 140.75.
• Shadab Khan has the most wickets in PAK-WI T20s. The leg-spinner has 15 wickets in nine matches against them at an average of 11.20 and economy rate of 5.28. Also, Shadab has taken nine wickets in his last four T20Is, including 4/26 in the T20 World Cup Semi Final against Australia.
• Another first over wicket for Shaheen Shah Afridi coming up? The left-arm fast bowler has taken 15 wickets in 11 innings on this ground and is having a great year: 35 matches, 47 wickets, econ. 7.84.

West Indies:

• Nicholas Pooran has the most runs against Pakistan out of any current WI squad member. The skipper has scored 100 runs against Pakistan at an average of 25 and strike rate of 151.52. This includes a score of 62* off 33 balls earlier this year.
• West Indies need Shai Hope to hold the innings together. He had a poor CPL 2021 campaign (141 runs, avg. 17.62), so the Windies will be hoping for a turnaround.
• Romario Shepherd is one to watch. And arguably a player the Windies should have picked in their T20 World Cup squad. He took 18 wickets in nine matches in CPL 2021, in addition to 109 runs at a strike rate of 165.15.
• Odean Smith also took 18 wickets in CPL 2021 (11 matches, avg. 14.88, SR 11.8). He bowled with good pace, and his variations could come in handy today.
• Akeal Hosein is fast improving as a T20 bowler. He was one of the bright spots in a disappointing World Cup campaign for the Windies, taking five wickets at an economy rate of 7.00.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 18, Pakistan 12, West Indies 3, N/R 1.
• Pakistan beat West Indies 1-0 in a T20I series earlier this year, with three matches washed out.
• Pakistan have beaten West Indies in all three of their meetings on this ground – back in 2018.
• Rovman Powell averages just three vs Pakistan (15 runs in five innings). As an experienced player, he needs to deliver here.
• Mohammad Hasnain has taken 21 wickets in 12 matches at Karachi.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan are close to full strength, with Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim and Hassan not to feature.

Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam (c), 2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3. Fakhar Zaman, 4. Haider Ali, 5. Khushdil Shah, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Haris Rauf, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Shahnawaz Dahani/Mohammad Hasnain/Mohammad Wasim

West Indies are depleted due to COVID-19. Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell and Kyle Mayers are out of the series due to contracting the virus.

West Indies: 1. Brandon King, 2. Shai Hope, 3. Darren Bravo, 4. Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), 5. Rovman Powell, 6. Romario Shepherd, 7. Odean Smith, 8. Dominic Drakes, 9. Akeal Hosein, 10. Hayden Walsh Jr, 11. Oshane Thomas

Karachi Pitch Report and Weather

Karachi is typically a batting paradise. Expect a good batting surface with a clear evening forecast. The match starts at 6.00pm local time, which means dew might not set in till a lot later in the game. Still, expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to field first.

Dream11 Prediction

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Fan2Play Prediction

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Match Prediction

Pakistan should be too strong.