PAK vs WI | 3rd T20I: With just pride to play for, will Windies finally break the Pakistan deadlock?
The third and final T20I between Pakistan holds nothing but formalities if it is just looked at from the perspective of results, but cricket is not only about end results, especially in bilateral tournaments. Thus even as Pakistan lead the three-match series 2-0, there are still things that the team would be looking to improve. As far as West Indies are concerned, they are without the core of their team and even after that they showed in the second game how dangerous they could be if they play to their potential. Hence this game gives an opportunity for both eth teams to test their strengths and bench strengths and try and put yet another solid performance. Babar and Fakhar's worrying form If one thing that Pakistan team management and the fans at the National Stadium in Karachi would be eager to see is the class of Babar Azam, of which they have so far been devoid of in the first two games. While a peach of delivery got Babar out in the first match, a cruel run out saw his back in the second one. Similarly, Fakahar Zaman has not been his usual self either, be it the Bangladesh tour just after the World Cup, or this series at home. He looks like a pale shadow of his batting. But given the amount of potential he carries and has displayed over the years, expectations are high and the team would expect a senior member to get up and perform. Pooran and Powell need to cash on For West Indies, it has mainly been the failure of their batting as their bowlers however have been on their toes, even if they are not naturally as talented as their predecessors have been. Skipper Nicholas Pooran and senior all-rounder Rovaman Powell, who was called into the side from in between his stint in Lanka Premier League, need to show what mettle they are made up of and why they are rated as highly as they are. Pakistan vs West Indies: Match Details Match number: 3rd T20I Venue: National Stadium, Karachi Date and Time: December 16, 06:30 PM IST, 01:00 PM GMT Broadcast and Live Stream in India: Sony Ten and Sony LIV Pitch Report The pitch in both games has slowed down as time passed and the spinners were able to get grip, bounce and turn, meaning that even a total of 160 looked defendable if bowled well. The boundaries have been pulled in, otherwise, had they been at their natural length, it would have been very tough to get past 150 on that pitch. Weather Forecast In winters, Karachi remains rain-free as has already been witnessed in the first two games. Similarly, there are no chances of rain for the third game as well. The temperature will be chilling as it is in these days and help the pacers with swing early on as well. Team News Pakistan The management would be looking to play the players who have so far not got the chance and that would include pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Hasnain in place of senior men Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. Even Usman Qadir could be given an opportunity in place of Mohammad Nawaz as the second spin option and Khushdil Shah can be tried at Asif Ali’s position who has not been able to do much in the first two games. Probable XI Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Hasnain West Indies As far as West Indies are concerned they would not be in a mood to make a lot of changes, although they can play experienced Darren Bravo in place of Shamarh Brooks and Probable XI Brandon King, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran (C) (wk), Rovman Powell, Odeon Smith, Romario Shepherd, Dominic Drakes, Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas CE Fantasy XI Nicholas Pooran, Babar Azam, Brandon King, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Romario Shepherd, Odeon Smith, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Wasim Jr Captain: Shadab Khan Vice-captain: Nicholas Pooran