TRINIDAD — West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the second and final Test at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday, aiming to press home their 1-0 series advantage.
The hosts enter the contest with momentum after a commanding 90-run victory in the opening Test and need only a draw to clinch the series. Pakistan, seeking to level the two-match rubber, responded to the defeat by making four changes to their playing eleven.
New Faces in Pakistan’s Lineup
The tourists handed Test caps to fast bowler Ubaid Shah and batter Awais Zafar, while also recalling opener Abdullah Shafique and spinner Sajid Khan. The overhaul came at the expense of Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Shan Masood, and Mohammad Abbas.
The omission of Abbas raised eyebrows, as the seamer was Pakistan’s most effective bowler in the first Test. Captain Babar Azam explained that the decision was purely tactical, based on the assessment of the playing conditions in Trinidad.
West Indies Eye Series Victory
Chase’s decision to bat first signals the home side’s intent to post a commanding first-innings total on a surface expected to offer early assistance to the batsmen. The West Indies lineup features a blend of experience and firepower, with Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales leading the pace attack.
Playing XIsPakistan: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali, Ubaid Shah.
West Indies: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.
