West Indies have won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Test match against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The hosts made the decision under sunny skies, following a training session the previous day that was cut short by afternoon rain. West Indies captain Roston Chase dedicated the team's effort to the memory of Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away last week, expressing his hope that the squad could perform in a way to make the legendary cricketer proud.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, whose side currently sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings, noted that he also would have chosen to bat first had he won the toss. The visitors introduced a new face to their starting XI, handing a debut to left-arm orthodox spinner Ali Usman. Pakistan opted for a bowling attack featuring four seamers—Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamer Jamal—while Sajid Khan was left out. Although Abdullah Fazal was ruled out due to injury, the team did not select Awais Zafar, opting instead to have Aamer Jamal bat at number seven.
The West Indies lineup features Kemar Roach, who is making his 90th Test appearance, alongside Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican also returns to the side following his strong performance during the tour of Pakistan last year. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who previously recorded a half-century, is back as an opener to replace John Campbell, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
West Indies starting XI: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (capt), Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales. Pakistan starting XI: Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
This match is part of the West IndiesPakistanWest Indies vs Pakistan series, which serves as a crucial PakistanPakistan tour of West Indies fixture. The IndiesPakistanWest clash carries significant weight for the IndiesICC World Test Championship standings.
West Indies : 1 Tagenarine Chanderpaul 2 Brandon King 3 Kavem Hodge 4 Shai Hope (wk) 5 Amir Jangoo 6 Justin Greaves 7 Roston Chase (capt) 8 Kemar Roach 9 Jomel Warrican 10 Shamar Joseph 11 Jayden Seales
Pakistan : 1 Azan Awais 2 Imam ul Haq 3 Shan Masood 4 Babar Azam (capt) 5 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 6 Salman Ali Agha 7 Aamer Jamal 8 Ali Usman 9 Khurram Shahzad 10 Mohammad Ali 11 Mohammad Abbas
