West Indies vs Pakistan: 2nd Test, August 20, 2021, Pakistan Tour of West Indies Match Prediction

Match Predictions

It was a nail-biting encounter in the first Test. Both batting line-ups were inconsistent and couldn’t really step up as the fast bowlers dominated proceedings at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The second Test is also slated to be played at the same venue.

West Indies shrugged off a poor performance against South Africa and bounced back well in the first Test. They showed why they are a tough side to beat at home, especially when the ball zips around. They have a solid fast bowling attack. Jason Holder and Kemar Roach shepherded this attack in the first Test but it was Jayden Seales who really made a mark as he returned with eight wickets in the game, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. Kraigg Braithwaite led from the front with the bat and scored 97 in the first essay before vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood stepped up to score a half-century in the second innings. Jason Holder also batted well.

On the other hand, in both innings, it was the Pakistan middle-order that did the bulk of the scoring. Skipper Babar Azam led from the front and scored 85 runs across the two innings. Most batters got starts in either of the innings but couldn’t really convert them into a big score. Pakistan’s inconsistency with the bat cost them the game in the first Test. Meanwhile, the pace attack was magnificent in both innings and they stepped up and kept Pakistan in the game. The trio of Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali will once again be critical in this game.

The loss in the first Test was Pakistan’s first in the longest format this year. West Indies have also been in decent form in Test cricket this year and their only two losses came against South Africa. Moreover, the Kraigg Braithwaite-led side are on the verge on winning a Test series against Pakistan for the first time since 2000. They might just start as slight favourites but given Pakistan’s bowling attack, don’t count them out.

Summary

The head-to-head record between West Indies and Pakistan is almost neck and neck. Pakistan are slightly ahead and have won 20 matches while West Indies have 18 wins. 15 games have ended in a draw out of the 53 that these two sides have played. However, in the recent past, Pakistan have been a lot more dominant. West Indies have won just six Test matches against Pakistan since the start of this 21^st century while Pakistan have won 10. Moreover, West Indies haven’t won a Test series against Pakistan (at home or away) since 2000 and have a bright chance of correcting that this time around.