ISLAMABAD: In their first visit to Pakistan in 18 years for cricket’s longest format, the West Indies arrived here on Monday to play a two-match Test series.
The team arrived in Islamabad on board flight EK 612 from Dubai, ahead of the matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium later this month.
The visitors will play a three-day practice match, starting on January 10, against Pakistani side Shaheen as part of their preparations.
The two teams will meet in Islamabad on January 6, and training will take place over the next few days. On January 7, the Pakistani national team will begin training at the Islamabad Club. To prepare for the series, the Caribbean team will conduct two days of intensive training sessions on January 8 and 9.
This tour marks a major turning point in cricket in Pakistan, as it is the first Test series that the West Indies will play in Pakistan since their visit in 2006.
The West Indies have visited Pakistan three times since 2018 for limited-overs matches, but this is their first longer series in nearly 20 years.
Pakistan and West Indies have played 54 Test matches against each other, with Pakistan leading the head-to-head record with 21 wins. The Windies won 18 Tests and 15 matches ended in draws.
The last test series between the two sides was held in 2021 in the Caribbean, and ended in a 1-1 draw.
West Indies squad: Craig Brathwaite (captain), Alec Athanazi, Casey Carty, Joshua da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavim Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jango, Mikel Lewis, Gudakesh Moti, Anderson Filip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Sells, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican.
Pakistani Shaheen Team: Imamul Haq (Captain), Ahmed Bashir, Ahmed Safi Abdullah, Ali Ziryab, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Kashif Ali, Muhammad Hurairah, Muhammad Rameez Jr., Muhammad Suleiman, Musa Khan, Umair Bin Youssef, Raheel Nazir, and Saad. Khan.
Pakistan Shaheens vs West Indies – Three-day warm-up match schedules:
January 10 – Day 1
Erem – 9:00 am
First session – from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Lunch – from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Second session – from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Tea – from 3:00 pm to 3:20 pm
Third session – from 3:20 pm to 4:50 pm
January 11 and 12 – Days 2 and 3
First session – from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Lunch – from 12:00 pm to 12:40 pm
Second session – from 12:40 pm to 2:40 pm
Tea – from 2:40 pm to 3:00 pm
Third session – from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Schedule of the two-match test series:
First Test: January 17-21, Multan Cricket Ground
Second Test: January 25-29, Multan Cricket Stadium