Pakistan to lock horns with Windies in Multan

Multan: Pakistan will take on West Indies in the first of three International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (today).  

The match will start at 4:00 pm Pakistan standard time in Multan, beginning of a new era for Pakistan cricket with the city hosting international cricket after 14 years.

The three-match series is part of the Super League cycle with opposing teams keen to gather important points required to qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup.

Both sides are eager to secure crucial points to direct qualify in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, 2023. The two teams were entering the series with high spirits.

If Pakistan end up clean sweeping the visitors, it will put the latter in danger of playing the qualifying rounds. 

Pakistan with six wins in 12 matches are 10th with 60 points.

The West Indies squad underwent their one and only practice session yesterday, while the national team have conducted such sessions twice after arriving Multan. 

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan , Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood.

West Indies Squad

Nicholas Pooran (c), Shai Hope, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph,  Brandon King,  Shermon Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd and Hayden Walsh Jr.

Schedule

June 8 — 1st ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field umpires), Rashid Riaz (third umpire) and Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee)

June 10 — 2nd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee)

June 12 — 3rd ODI, Multan Cricket Stadium. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Faisal Khan Afridi (fourth umpire); Mohammad Javed (match referee)