Test skipper Shan Masood said he is eager to sign off on the current World Test Championship cycle on a high as the Pakistan cricket team began its preparation for the first Test against the West Indies. The Test series begins with the two-match series getting underway at the Multan Cricket Stadium from January 17, with the second starting on January 25.
This will be West Indies’ first Test in Pakistan since December 2006 and currently sit dead last on the WTC standings. Pakistan, under the then PCB Hall of Famer Inzamam-ul-Haq, had beaten Australia 2-0 the last time they hosted them for a Test series on home soil.
“This is our last Test series in the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, and we would like to finish it on a winning note,” Masood said in an pre-match press conference. He pointed out the value of each game in this format, making sure the team is committed to giving good performances and a series win that everyone will remember.
The two teams last faced each other in 2021 in the Caribbean, with the series finishing 1-1. Masood will look to inspire Pakistan to a second successive home series victory after they managed a 2-1 series success against England in October.
“West Indies are a decent side with a lot of talented players. They bring a different style to the game, and we know they will push us hard,” Masood said. He admitted that Test cricket was challenging, but his team was ready for it. He also believes the recent series win against England has given them a good dose of confidence and momentum.
A 15-member Pakistan squad has trained for three days hard in the run-up to the series while the West Indies, captained by Kraigg Brathwaite, trained for two days at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium. The visitors also played a three-day warm-up match against Pakistan Shaheens in Islamabad last week.
Brathwaite also spoke of the need for acclimatization to Pakistani conditions, as most of the squad members – like himself – are visiting the country for the first time. “We are very excited to be here in Pakistan. Personally I had never been to Pakistan before, and most players are also touring for the first time. We look forward to performing well in these conditions,” he added.
He further said, “Our performance will be vital, and though putting runs on the board is important, taking 20 wickets will be the key to win the Test match. Our preparations have been going well; the practice game in Islamabad was beneficial, and our sessions in Multan have also helped us get ready.”
