MULTAN: Pakistan and West Indies vowed a strong finish when they meet in the first Test in Multan on Friday despite dragging up the rear of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Pakistan are currently eighth in the 2023-25 cycle of the WTC, with their rivals in last place far behind finalists Australia and South Africa.

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

“This [ongoing] cycle is finishing so this series is significant for us as we want to become a better team by being unbeaten in home conditions,” the captain told reporters at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

“We are focused on finishing strong, and the team is prepared to fight hard,” Shan said. “Every Test carries immense importance, and we are determined to give our best to clinch this series and build a winning mindset for the future.”

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

“We won against England which gave us significant belief and confidence, so it will be important we keep that momentum against the West Indies,” the left-handed batter said.

HURRAIRA TO MAKE DEBUT

Pakistan on Thursday unveiled their playing XI for the opening Test, including young batter Mohammad Hurraira.

The inclusion of Sialkot-born Hurraira, having a healthy batting average of 49 in first-class games, has generated significant buzz. The 22-year-old right-hander, who struck half-century in each innings of the three-day warm-up against the West Indies in Islamabad, has impressed with his consistent performances in domestic competitions.

Other than Hurraira, the Shan-led playing XI includes Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Khurram Shahzad and Abrar Ahmd.

The West Indies finished eighth in both previous WTCs and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite wants to end the ongoing cycle on a positive note.

“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 on Thursday.

He said his players were ready for Pakistan’s spin assault led by Nauman and Sajid, who took 39 wickets between them against England in the last series.

“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.

“We are ready to take on the challenges and are confident in our ability to compete against Pakistan who are dominant in their conditions.”

The West Indies are undertaking a Test tour of Pakistan after more than 18 years, and Brathwaite said the occasion was keeping the tourists motivated.

“We are very excited to be here in Pakistan, for most of us including myself, this is the first visit to the country and it is a fantastic opportunity,” he said.

Pakistan deployed industrial fans and patio heaters to dry out the Multan pitch and secure their series win against England after heavy rain.

They are ready to use the same tactic again if needed, with the second Test also to be played in Multan from Jan 25.

The tourists had a taste of those conditions in their drawn three-day practice game in Islamabad, where Alick Athanaze hit half-centuries in both innings and newcomer Amir Jangoo scored an unbeaten 63.

West Indies used a three-prong spin attack of Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican and Gudakesh Motie in that match but will be without pace spearhead Kemar Roach, who is unwell. Wicket-keeper/batter Joshua Da Silva was overlooked.

Title holders Australia and South Africa will play the WTC final at Lord’s in June.

However, WTC bottom-dwellers such as Pakistan and West Indies will be wary of reports that leading nations such as India, Australia and England favour a two-tier system of promotion and relegation.

That plan could mean lower-ranked teams won’t get to play Tests against top-tier nations.

“If there is a two-tier system then it has to be exciting,” said Shan. “There should be relegation and promotion of teams and every team should get more Tests.

“We want more and more Test cricket. The setback for most of the countries is that they are playing just four to five Tests a year and this is hurting.”

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025