Pakistan will be looking to keep their excellent T20 form going when they host the West Indies in a three-match series.
The West Indies on the other hand will want to bounce back and build for the future.
Pakistan vs West Indies | First T20I | Monday 13 December 2021 | The National Stadium, Karachi | 15:00
Pakistan
While a few fringe players have been included in the squad the Pakistan team should have a familiar feel to it and will be led by Babar Azam.
Mohammad Rizwan is likely to continue opening the batting in the abbreviated format alongside Babar, given how well they have done together.
Shaheen Afridi is one of the best bowlers in the world right now in any format and his skipper knows how to use him effectively.
With Shadab Khan named as vice-captain, it appears that Usman Qadir might find opportunities hard to come by in this series unless Babar wants to utilise double leg-spin.
West Indies
The West Indies were dealt a pre-series blow when Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers and Sheldon Cottrell tested positive for COVID-19 and were forced into quarantine.
Those withdrawals mean that batter Brandon King is likely to get a chance to add to the 11 T20Is he has to his name.
Cottrell’s absence also paves the way for exciting left-arm fast bowling prospect Dominic Drakes to make his West Indies debut.
Spinner Hayden Walsh Jr should be eager to return to his pre-injury form, and the West Indies could undoubtedly use his skills.
Verdict: Pakistan
Pakistan will take some beating on their own patch.
