WI vs PAK, ICC World Cup 2019: Windies bank on 'power-play' to beat Pakistan

Windies may have had fought hard to book their world cup berth but the way they outclassed New Zealand in the warm-up clash was impeccable

Pakistan and West Indies, the two most unpredictable sides, will take on each other in their first World Cup game at the Trent Bridge, here on Friday. No matter how unpredictable these two sides can be, on their day, they can beat any top side in the world. Pakistan, who have lost their last 10 ODIs, didn't have the most ideal preparation for the showpiece event. They lost to Afghanistan in their first warm-up game and their second, against Bangladesh, was washed out without a ball bowled. Pakistan have the likes of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman who are in great form. And in their bowling department, they have the likes of Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali who can wreak havoc on any batting line-up in the world. The only thing that they need to be wary off is their fielding which has let them down in the past and can prove costly in this tournament, too. West Indies, on the other hand, have been in good form in recent times. They may have had fought hard to get into the marquee event but the way they outclassed New Zealand in the warm-up clash was impeccable. They showed glimpses of their power hitting by scoring 421 runs that was no less than an alert for other teams that they can’t be taken lightly in any case. They boast of having the big power hitters like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shai Hope in their batting line-up which can explode against any opposition. Their bowling is slightly on the weaker side, but with a solid pool of all-rounders, they have several options. And if the batsmen show up in the mood that they did against the Black Caps, they're going to have plenty to play with. Squads Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, Wahab Riaz West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas