Big picture
The painfully tense opposition for the first Test between these sides would be enough to inject life into any series, and the shot from that thrilling one-wicket win over the West Indies should serve them very well. After struggling in the format in recent years, it felt like the Test ended on the wrong side of the West Indies, and when Kemar Roach pushed one through cover to send the Caribbean in excitement, you wondered. Maybe if it was a matter of a fresh start.
It helps that the timing of the win was as sweet as Jason Holder's extra-cover drive, as it is right at the start of this World Test Championship cycle. This pushes West Indies to second place in the table, but against a dismayed Pakistan, the second Test represents an ideal opportunity for a perfect start to this two-year period.
West Indies were by no means perfect, which certainly shows that there is room for improvement. But having toppled Pakistan for a significant period of Tests, Phil Simmons' side will know that when it comes to fast bowling, they have to maintain that quality while working on a way to score more runs on the board. The coach had been vocal about asking his batsmen to improve, and after that first Test, it's not hard to see why. There may not be much change in personnel, but with the home team's top-order dedication in both innings, the risk of an injured Pakistan bowling unit ripping through an innings remains.
There has been an uneasy calm in the days following Pakistan's defeat, but the appetite for perhaps another filling is palpable. Given the many opportunities to build distance between the two sides in the first three days, and clear opportunities to seal it in the end, Pakistan will feel uneasy with the way the game is allowed to get out of its grip. Individual errors aside, Pakistan's opening pair looks much less than the required quality at this stage, with the added burden that falls on the middle order making the team look unbalanced.
The complete lack of impact of the spin bowling played in that first Test came as a surprise. With both sides opting to field a spinner, it is clear that all the 39 wickets falling for the fast bowlers also dealt a blow to the teams. With the second Test to be played at the same venue, under similar conditions, the team selection around spin options may be something worth looking into.
In the spotlight
With all the drama surrounding the climax of the first Test, Kemar Roach, Craig Brathwaite and Jaden Seals applauded, but Jermaine Blackwood's role was cut short. On a treacherously hard surface to bat on, he got into trouble for his side on both occasions, bravely chasing down the bowlers. This translated into important partnerships that took the pressure off their captain by raising the run rate in the first innings. But it was the second innings where his contribution really shone while batting at the toughest of the game. Shaheen Afridi was on fire and had removed three top-order batsmen. Just before lunch, Blackwood slammed them for two leg-side fours, stopping Pakistan's momentum in a priceless innings of 55 runs. His role may have been overshadowed, but both sides recognize his quality and importance to this side.
For most of his career, Yasir Shah was close to the first name on the Pakistan Test team sheet, but it's hard not to wonder if those days could be good. Returning from an injury that kept him out of the Zimbabwe Test series, the legspinner who took 10 more wickets than any other bowler on Pakistan's tour of the West Indies last time, was conspicuous by his absence. He failed to generate much spin while struggling with his length, going through the game without a wicket for only the third time in his career. It was certainly a game of fast bowling, but chasing a low score in the fourth innings, Babar Azam turned to him for just three overs. With Nauman Ali in the team, Shah can consider himself lucky to be picked for the game, and he certainly has a point to prove.
Team news
Kieran Powell's double failure could bring Shai Hope into the picture, with Jomel Warrican's place in the XI also under scrutiny. If West Indies want a different kind of spinner, Kemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph or Rahkeem Cornwall are also options.
West Indies (probable): 1 Craig Brathwaite (c), 2 Kieron Powell/Shai Hope, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Roston Chase, 6 Kyle Meyers, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Joshua da Silva (wk), 9 Alzarri Joseph /Kemar Holder, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Jayden Seals
Pakistan will also have to deal with the riddle of Yasir Shah, and decide whether his inability in the first Test was due to the pitch or his own lack of form and confidence.
Pakistan (Probable): 1 Abid Ali, 2 Imran Butt, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Babar Azam (captain), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Yasir Shah/Nauman Ali, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Shaheen Afridi
Pitch and conditions
Rain is forecast for this test, but the first day is completely clear. There should be enough good weather all around not to seriously spoil the competition.
Stats and trivia
- The three overs Shah bowled in the fourth innings was the lowest ever for Pakistan in the final innings of a Test other than Cape Town 2020. On that occasion, South Africa needed 41 runs to win, and Shah did not bowl.
- Roston Chase needs 14 runs to reach 2000 in Test cricket.
- The last two two-match series between the two sides - in 2011 and 2005 - ended 1–1. On both occasions, West Indies won the first Test, with Pakistan coming back to level things.
Quotes
"Me and Monty [Desai] are doing a lot of work behind the scenes in the nets. He's told me to be a little more patient now, but he doesn't want me to let go of my aggression, but choose the right shot. Don't lose focus."
Jermaine Blackwood talks about reconciling his aggressive nature with spending time at the crease