Pakistan hand Test debuts to Ubaid Shah, Awais Zafar as West Indies bat in series-decider

Pakistan handed Test debuts to fast bowler Ubaid Shah and middle-order batter Awais Zafar as they made four changes for the second and final Test against West Indies at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat.

The tourists reshuffled their lineup after suffering a 90-run defeat in the opening Test, a result that left them trailing 1-0 in the two-match series.

Alongside the two debutants, off-spinner Sajid Khan and opener Abdullah Shafique returned to the side as Pakistan sought to level the series. The changes came at the expense of Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, injured Shan Masood and Aamer Jamal.

West Indies retained the same XI that outplayed Pakistan in the first Test, backing the combination that put them on the brink of their first Test series victory over Pakistan in 26 years.

The start of play was delayed by 15 minutes because of early morning rain before West Indies captain Roston Chase chose to bat first on a surface expected to assist spin later in the match.

The spotlight was firmly on 21-year-old paceman Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah, who earned his maiden Test cap after impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Ubaid has claimed 72 wickets in just 16 first-class matches and said representing Pakistan at Test level fulfilled a lifelong ambition.

"I was very much excited when I got selected in the Pakistan team and it is the dream of every player," Ubaid said.

"Test cricket tests one's temperament and it's a big thing to play Test cricket. I have worked extremely hard in first-class cricket and have delivered, which paid dividends as I earned a spot in Pakistan's Test team."

Pakistan also handed a debut to 26-year-old right-handed batter Awais Zafar, who has built a strong domestic record with 2,278 runs in 34 first-class matches at an average of 42.98, including seven centuries and 10 half-centuries. His highest first-class score is an unbeaten 178.

"I am extremely happy to be with the team," Zafar said.

West Indies will seal their first Test series victory over Pakistan since 2000 if they avoid defeat in Trinidad, while Pakistan must win the match to square the series.

Teams:

West Indies: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wicketkeeper), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (captain), Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

Pakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali, Ubaid Shah.