West Indies v Pakistan Third Test Preview


West Indies and Pakistan will play the third and decisive Test in their three-match series, starting at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, on Wednesday 10 May. The series is locked at 1-1 after the first two matches in Kingston and Bridgetown - Pakistan won the former by 7 wickets, while the hosts bounced back in the latter to claim a stirring 106-run triumph. Shai Hope of West Indies bats during Day Five of the Second Test between Pakistan and West IndiesThe momentum is all with the West Indies, who skittled the tourists for just 81 in their second innings in Bridgetown thanks to a 5-for by Shannon Gabriel and great assistance from Alzarri Joseph and skipper Jason Holder. Combined with a gutsy innings of 90 from middle order batsman Shai Hope, the Windies showed the kind of grit and character that their Test team has been criticised for lacking in recent years. Shannon Gabriel of West Indies took 5 Pakistan wickets for 11 runsBut can they keep up the standards they set in the second Test? Much will depend on the nature of the Windsor Park pitch, with West Indies coach Stuart Law hoping to see a surface much more suited to the pace of Gabriel rather than the leg-spinning wizardry of Yasir Shah, whose 9-wicket haul in Bridgetown nearly sealed the series for Pakistan. Pakistan's batsman Younis Khan plays a shot on the final day of the first TestThere’s little to choose between the teams, but if the Windies get a good surface for fast bowling and can maintain the momentum they built in the second match, then they will be the favourites to claim a first series win over Pakistan since 2000.West Indies v Pakistan - head-to-head in Tests Matches played: 51 West Indies wins: 17 Pakistan wins: 19 Draws: 15 Form guide (last five results, most recent first, Tests only) West Indies - WLWLL Pakistan - LWLLL ICC Test ranking West Indies - 8th Pakistan - 5th

Published: 05/10/2017