WI vs PAK, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Andre Russell vs Wahab Riaz and Other Exciting Mini Battles to Watch Out For at Trent Bridge
This is the fourth time in six World Cup tournaments that Pakistan is beginning their campaign against the West Indies. They have two of the earlier three and won just one match.
West Indies and Pakistan (WI vs PAK) square-off against each other in the second match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on May 31 (Friday). Two former champions, both West Indies and Pakistan have had similar stories in the competition. From playing in three successive World Cup finals, the Caribbean side have now been reduced to mere wanderers, while their counterparts Pakistan have always walked the unpredictable way. West Indies vs Pakistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match Preview: WI Bank on Power-Play to Beat PAK.
They aren’t favourites either at CWC2019. But some recalls and the return to form of some others have given both West Indies and Pakistan an outside chance to be competitive. With power hitters on one side and equally powerful bowling unit in the other, the game promises to be an extravaganza. Let’s take a look at some those mini-battles, which may decide the game’s fate.
Chris Gayle vs Mohammad Amir
Chris Gayle has been in fine form ever since his return to the West Indies national team. The Universe boss has an average of 48.94 in the last two years and has smashed three centuries and four fifties in just 20 matches. At 39, Gayle may well be playing his final World Cup but the left-hander still has the ability to clear any boundary in the world. But hitting Mohammad Amir out of the park won’t be easy. Pakistan vs West Indies Betting Odds: Free Bet Odds, Predictions and Favourites During PAK vs WI in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match 2.
Amir is still doubtful to start, with the Pakistan cricket management stating that he still isn’t 100% fit. But if Amir plays, getting Chirs Gayle out will be his first and foremost option. Amir of late has been in poor form but is Pakistan’s most lethal bowling option at the World Cup.
Andre Russell vs Wahab Riaz
Both players return to their respective national teams after years away from the game. Andre Russell last played for the West Indies in 2015, while Riaz was removed from the Pakistan team two years ago. But Russell has returned as a rejuvenated player and as one of the world’s best all-rounder. Riaz will certainly hope for the same.
Russell, who for the last three years played across various international T20 leagues, comes to the World Cup after winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL). He showed just why he was instrumental to West Indies’ chances in the warm-up game against New Zealand with a quick-fire half-century. Riaz had taken 16 wickets at the last World Cup and will look to light up the tournament once again.
Shai Hope vs Shaheen Afridi
Shai Hope is ranked number four in the ICC ODI rankings. Shaheen Afridi is one among Pakistan’s biggest bowling aspirations. Hope averages 51.06 in ODIs and has already hit six centuries in 54 matches. Five of those centuries have come in the last year where he averages 55.50. Hope was in horrible form when West Indies last travelled to England but has already scored one century in the warm-up game against New Zealand.
His battle with Shai Hope will certainly be a treat to watch as both attempts to establish their legacy in world cricket. Afridi has already taken 24 wickets in just 14 ODIs.
Shannon Gabriel vs Babar Azam
Babar Azam is the ranked number one in the T20 rankings and seventh in the ODI rankings. Azam averages 51.67 in ODIs. Shanon Gabriel, on the other, has an economy of just 5.62 in 22 One-Day Internationals. He has 31 wickets with the best figure of 3/17. In his last four matches, Gabriel has eight wickets from his last four matches. Azam has often been compared to Virat Kohli for his consistency and the Pakistani batsman would want to prove just why he is.
This is the fourth time in six World Cup tournaments that Pakistan is beginning their campaign against the West Indies. They have two of the earlier three and won just one match. Pakistan has lost all of their last 10 ODI matches - another against Afghanistan in the warm-up game - to add to their woeful form ever since the Champions Trophy victory over India in 2017. In 23 matches against the top five sides since then, Pakistan has won just four.
West Indies vs Pakistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match 2 Video Preview
West Indies have not been on a similar streak but had nothing better either but the return of some their top players make the Windies a fiery side yet again. West Indies scored 421 in their warm-up match against New Zealand. Then bowled the opposition out for 330. If this was an example of some glimpse to go by what's to come from them in the tournament, then advantage West Indies tomorrow.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2019 10:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).