Pakistan look for clean sweep against West Indies

Pakistan continued their improvement in the 50-over game as they cruised past West Indies to win the second ODI on Sunday by 59 runs. Batting first, the Men in Green posted 337/5 in their 50 overs, thanks to scintillating performances from Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed.

Azam scored 123, his second consecutive century while Malik and Sarfraz added 90 and 60 runs, respectively to put the hosts (Pakistan are playing their home matches in the United Arab Emirates) in the driving seat. With 338 runs to defend, the bowlers stuck to their lines and lengths, restricting their opponents to just 278 off their 50 overs.

Pakistan have no injury worries, however Mohammad Amir has returned home due to his mother’s illness which means Rummann Raees could make his debut. Other than that change, Pakistan are likely to go with the same team that played on Sunday. West Indie’s woes in the limited overs format continued in the second ODI where they lost by 59-run. While their batsman put up an improved show while chasing 338 runs, their bowlers continued to struggle with everyone barring off-spinner Sunil Narine going for more than six runs an over.

A loss here will ensure that they slip below Pakistan in the ICC ODI rankings, which will hamper their chances for automatic qualification for the ICC 2019 World Cup which will be held in England. The senior players will need to excel if they are to ensure that they do not suffer their second whitewash in the space of two weeks following their 3-0 drubbing in the recently concluded Twenty20 series.