Pakistan grapple with team balance for West Indies series decider

The ODI series between Pakistan and the West Indies will go right down to the wire on Tuesday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where the hosts have the chance to achieve something they haven’t managed in more than three decades, a bilateral ODI series win over Pakistan.

For the West Indies, the motivation extends beyond history. Their victory in the second ODI, their first over Pakistan in more than six years, propelled them to ninth place in the ICC ODI rankings, the final automatic qualifying spot for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Having missed out on the 2023 edition in India, they are determined to avoid the uncertainty of another qualifying tournament.

Pakistan’s dilemma: The fifth bowler puzzle

Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan has thrown his support behind his bowling group despite the second ODI exposing a clear weak link. Part-time spinners Saim Ayub and Salman Agha conceded 66 runs in just seven wicketless overs, allowing Roston Chase and Justin Greaves to take the game away in a 77-run unbroken stand.

“You could say our fifth bowler gave away too many runs, but in recent years, Salman Agha and Saim Ayub have both bowled well for us,” Rizwan said after the loss. “Saim didn’t have the best day today, but he performed well in the T20Is. That’s just part of the game.”

The problem for Pakistan is that finding space for an additional specialist bowler is not straightforward. The top four, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Rizwan, are unlikely to be tinkered with, despite none of them being at their absolute best in the series. Saim and Abdullah have both failed to provide solid starts, Babar has struggled against spin and seam at key moments, while Rizwan, though making a fifty in the first ODI, has battled for fluency.

Below them, in-form youngsters Hussain Talat and Hasan Nawaz are almost certain to retain their places after match-winning contributions in the series opener. Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed impressed as the frontline spinners in the second match, and the pace attack of Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali is unlikely to be broken up.

That leaves Pakistan with a single slot to potentially bring in another specialist bowler, possibly left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, but doing so would require dropping either vice-captain Salman Agha or one of the openers. Moving Babar up to open, thereby creating space is an option, but a bold one.

Hosts eye rare series triumph

For the West Indies, Sunday’s victory was more than just a leveler; it was proof of resilience. Chasing a revised target of 181 in 35 overs after rain interruptions, they were 102 for four in the 20th over, but Roston Chase’s unbeaten 49 and Justin Greaves’ steady 26* sealed the win with 10 balls to spare.

Chase, who also made a half-century in the first ODI, was clear about the stakes.

“It is basically a final from here because we have to keep the series alive, so we had to win today so that we can win the next match, and the series as well,” he said.

The all-rounder stressed the importance of every ODI in their journey toward the 2027 World Cup.

“Any ODI series that we have from here now is very important, because we need to qualify for the World Cup outright, so that we don’t have to go into any qualifiers; so every ODI from here we’re looking for full points.”

Weather and conditions

The second ODI was interrupted multiple times by rain, reducing overs and affecting rhythm for both batters and bowlers. Rizwan admitted the forecast had been “completely different from expectations” and confirmed Pakistan would finalize their XI after assessing the conditions closer to the toss.

The pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy has offered something for both pacers and spinners, with seam movement early on and grip for slow bowlers as the innings progresses. With rain again a possibility, teams may be inclined to strengthen their batting depth while retaining bowling variety.

As the players take the field in Tarouba on Tuesday, the series narrative will boil down to composure under pressure, selection gambles, and the ability to adapt to unpredictable conditions.