Pakistan, West Indies aim to end WTC cycle strong

English , Snippets , Sports - کھیل اور کھلاڑی , / Thursday, January 16th, 2025

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RKI Network
MULTAN: Pakistan and the West Indies are determined to finish the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a high when they meet for the first Test in Multan on Friday. Both teams have struggled in the standings, with Pakistan in eighth place and the West Indies at the bottom.
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, emphasized the importance of this two-match series for his team, who are eager to continue their home dominance after a 2-1 series win against England in October. “We want to be unbeaten at home and this series is crucial for that,” Masood stated. After a disappointing 2-0 loss to South Africa, Pakistan is keen to maintain the momentum.
Meanwhile, West Indies, who finished eighth in both of the previous WTC cycles, are aiming for a strong finish under the leadership of Kraigg Brathwaite. “This series is important for us, and we’re focused on starting the year strong,” Brathwaite said. His team is prepared to face Pakistan’s formidable spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who were instrumental in the victory over England.
The match will also see both teams battle unpredictable weather conditions in Multan. Pakistan’s tactical use of industrial fans and heaters will be employed again to manage the pitch conditions. Despite missing key players like Kemar Roach, the West Indies are ready to challenge Pakistan’s spin attack.
Both teams are also mindful of potential changes in the WTC structure, with discussions of a two-tier system that could affect lower-ranked teams’ access to top-tier nations.