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Saturday 25 July, 15:00
TV: Sky Sports
West Indies v Pakistan first Test team news
West Indies will be without fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who has declined to be selected. Joseph has form for some testy behaviour and coach Daren Sammy didn't sound that enamoured with the quick when discussing his decision. Joseph has claimed he wants to be left out for personal reasons.
The fast-bowling stock remains decent. Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales will likely be supported by Justin Greaves. If West Indies think the track will take spin one of those three could miss out. Jomel Warrican should be picked regardless and he could be joined by Keemo Paul. Another option is left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop, who could debut.
Kirk McKenzie or Tagenarine Chanderpaul could open the batting with John Campbell injured.
Possible XI: Chanderpaul, King, Hodge, Jangoo, Greaves, Hope, Chase, Warrican, Paul, Shamar, Seales
Pakistan, as is their wont, are undergoing a revamp. Babar Azam is back as captain and they are likely to field a new-look bowling attack. Alll-rounder Aamer Jamal could be the new attack leader.
Ubaid Shah, brother of Naseem, could be paired with veteran Mohammad Ali, who took five wickets in the warm-up. There is no Shaheen Shah Afridi.
In that game there were tons for Babar and Azan Awais, who has played only two Tests.
Salman Agha could be key. He may need to support spinner Sajid Khan. Pakistan could also play an extra spinner in Ali Usman, who is a useful batter.
Possible XI: Awais, Imam, Masood, Babar, Fazal, Salman, Rizwan, Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan, Ali, Ubaid
West Indies v Pakistan first Test pitch report
Rather unhelpfully Tarouba has not hosted a Test before. But first-class matches in 2025 give a clue as to what to expect, likewise West Indies picking the extra spinner Bishop in the squad. It could well be a surface which deteriorates significantly in the third- and fourth-innings.
That was what happened in those two domestic games. Paul even opened the bowling. For first-innings runs, though, batting could be straightforward. The wicket may only provide best bet options in the third- and fourth when we will watch, wait and see if the characteristic comes through. Then we're shorting runs.
West Indies v Pakistan first Test match prediction
It has been three years since Pakistan last won a Test away from home. Since their 2-0 sweep over Sri Lanka in 2023, they have lost seven consecutive matches across three continents.
That doesn't mean they have massive appeal as 6/52.20 favourites with the Betfair Sportsbook, even though it could be a risk from West indies playing Pakistan on a spinning surface. There is a chance it is a home from home for them.
There is more interest on the Betfair Exchange. Runs up top could bring the draw price in so we can get involved with a lay before the wicket deteriorates. It will go off at 4.507/2 with Windies 2.6413/8 and Pakistan 2.3411/8. The lay entry point is at favourite status with the Pakistan price the guide.
West indies come into the contest off the back of decent performances against Sri Lanka in June. They won the Test series 1-0 after stalemate in the last Test.
West Indies v Pakistan first Test player bets
Jomel Warrican has four wins in nine matches for top West Indies bowler. A chunk of those were in Asia. Do we rule that out as a relevant formguide for first-innings top bowler? Maybe.
But the angle could be betting a spinner for man of the match. If we're right about this Tarouba surface crumbling, a spinner could well be picking up a heavy haul in the third or fourth to bring them bang into contention for a man of the match gong. Warrican is 18/119.00.
For Pakistan, Sajid Khan has expertise in bowling out sides on his own on helpful wickets. He is a little shorter but the 12/113.00 is also of interest. Split stakes across the two.
Back Jomel Warrican man of match
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