Speaking at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s Head Coach Aqib Javed expressed confidence in Pakistan’s chances of securing a victory in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies. Pakistan currently leads the series 1-0.
Javed highlighted Pakistan’s home advantage, stating, “West Indies batsmen struggle against spin, and the rule of Test cricket is to dominate at home.” He emphasized that team selection is based on playing conditions, noting that spinners have yet to feature in South Africa due to its pace-friendly pitches. Javed also acknowledged the challenges posed by overseas conditions, particularly in South Africa and England, where pitches are tailored to favor the hosts.
“Fast bowlers need to sharpen their reverse swing skills on these surfaces,” he said, referencing Shoaib Akhtar’s past successes in similar conditions. Javed criticized the undervaluation of spinners’ contributions compared to fast bowlers, emphasizing, “The ultimate goal is to win the match.”
Ahead of the second Test, Javed mentioned that the team’s strategy would depend on how the pitch behaves during the game.
Training and Preparations for the Second Test
The West Indies team conducted a training session at the Multan Cricket Stadium, arriving at 10 AM to gear up for the crucial match. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s team opted for rest ahead of the second Test, which begins tomorrow (Saturday).
Pre-match press conferences by Pakistan’s interim head coach Aqib Javed and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite are scheduled later today.
With Pakistan leading 1-0, the second Test will serve as a decisive showdown in the two-match series.
