Turning up for the Tests, a big test!

Pakistan will face West Indies in first of three-match series from October 13 in Dubai

KARACHI: During the 80s and 90s, Pakistan and West Indies squared-up for some of the most gripping and fascinating episodes of Test cricket in an era dominated by the Caribbean outfit.

Three back-to-back Test series ended in pulsating 1-1 draws with the Imran Khan led Pakistan giving Vivian Richards’ world beaters a real scare in each of the three contests — 1986-1990.

After Imran’s retirement,  Wasim Akram led unit crumbled to a 2-0 defeat in the 1993 series held in the Caribbean islands, but extracted revenge and a first series whitewash 3-0 win at home four years later — a defeat that heralded the end of the two decade long West Indian domination in the longest, most prestigious format of the game.

Since the late 90s, the West Indian decline has been so steep and depressing that their players and fans have almost no interest left in the format.

The politicking of the cricket board, misuse of their already meagre financial resources and the lure of cricket leagues around the world has kept the leading West Indian players away from Test cricket for a considerable time now.

PHOTO: AFP

The Jason Holder led eleven for the Dubai Test will not only face a stern challenge themselves, but will also propose a challenge for the fans, journalists and commentators, since barring a couple the rest are totally unrecognised names.

Even before the start of the series, there’s an overbearing feeling that three Tests against a team of this strength is nothing but overkill! Anything less than a 3-0 win would be an underachievement for Misbahul Haq’s team — recently disposed from ICC’s top ranking.

West Indies best chance of success though is in fact the pink ball day-night Dubai Test, as there are many unknowns going into the Test which can somehow make the contest far more equal than the two conventional Tests that follow Dubai’s showpiece event.

PHOTO: AFP

Both teams aren’t used to the pink ball or playing long format cricket under lights since Dubai is going to be just the second such Test ever — Australia and New Zealand played the first in Adelaide last year. One of the unknowns is the behaviour of pink ball in the sultry Dubai weather especially when the lights are switched on.

No one knows yet if the pink ball will swing, will it reverse swing? Will it be tough to sight in Dubai’s ‘ring of fire’ or will the batsmen have it all in their favour, will the curator take a punt and leave some grass on the usually benign surface?

To help improve the visibility under lights, pink balls have a coat or two more of lacquer compared to the red or white balls. The extra lacquer is likely to make the ball stay new for longer which can aid bowlers reliant on the swing with the new cherry.

Another ‘positive’ for the West Indies is the absence of a stalwart Younus Khan in the opponent’s line-up. Pakistan have a massive hole to fill-in the batting department following Younus’ withdrawal, the country’s highest Test run-getter is set to miss his first long format game since sitting out in the two matches tour of West Indies five years ago — the last time the two teams played a Test series.

PHOTO COURTESY: PCB

The 38-year-old’s slot will be taken-up by the exceptionally promising Babar Azam on the heels of his record breaking heist in the ODI centuries — three consecutive centuries, 360 runs in the series.

Azam though is bound to have some nerves since he’ll be donning the Test cap for the first time despite his Bradmanesque ODI run.

There’s also likely to be a toss-up for the second spinner’s slot between Zulfiqar Babar and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

Yasir Shah is a certain selection and Pakistan are likely to field the pace trio of Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan which leaves just one slot up for grabs.

Misbah has hardly ever played five regular bowlers in his 46 Test captaincy career and is almost certain to suppress the thought sans Younus whose absence leaves batting considerably thinner on experience.

This scenario makes Nawaz the favourite to win his debut cap alongside Azam unless there’s a last minute plan to play Babar in place of one of the three quicks.

Which pacer to leave out is going to be another headache for Misbah and coach Mickey Arthur, as Sohail had back-to-back five wicket hauls at Edgbaston and Oval, Wahab was the X-factor in the Oval win with strikes at crucial junctures of the game while Amir was easily the most consistent and probing of the Pakistan quicks in England.

Once the dust settles in Dubai, Pakistan should boss the Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Test barring a miracle or the return of the unpredictability beast, even at Dubai the odds are stacked in the hosts’ favour.

After the one-sided thumpings — 3-0 whitewashes in both T20 and ODIs — in the white ball formats, West Indies desperately need to compete in the Tests since the tour is threatening to be arguably the most lop-sided contest in international cricket history.