Fog Delays Toss in Pakistan-West Indies Test

Fri Jan 17 2025
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

Key points

  • Once the visibility improves, umpires will inspect the conditions
  • Two-match Test series is part of World Test Championship’s third cycle
  • Pakistan are eighth and the West Indies ninth and last

MULTAN, Pakistan:  Toss in the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan on Friday was delayed due poor visibility, local media reported.

AFP cited a statement of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as saying that the visibility has been affected due to fog so the toss has been delayed.

The PCB said, “Once the visibility improves the two umpires will inspect the conditions.”

World Test Championship

The two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle (2023-2025) in which Pakistan are eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.

Skipper Shan Masood said the two-test series was significant for Pakistan, who finished sixth and seventh in the first two WTC cycles.

“This cycle is finishing so this series is significant for us as we want to become a better team by being unbeaten in home conditions,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Pakistan ended a winless stretch of 11 home Tests by beating England 2-1 in October and Masood wants his team to keep winning at home despite a 2-0 defeat in South Africa this month.

“We won against England so it will be important we keep that momentum against the West Indies,” Masood said.

Pakistan’s spin attack

West Indies finished eighth in both previous WTCs and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite wants to end on a positive note this time.

“I think this series is very important with two Tests left in this cycle… so we want to start the year strong and that is our focus,” Brathwaite said.

He said his players are ready for Pakistan’s spin attack led by Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who took 39 wickets between them against England.

“We have played in spin conditions in Bangladesh and these conditions are similar, so you have to be disciplined and be brave against any bowler,” Brathwaite said.

The second Test starts from January 25, also in Multan. – With some input from AFP.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp