Pakistan, currently No 2 in the ICC Test rankings, take on West Indies in a three-match Test series over the next two months. The first Test -- a day-night one -- gets under way on Thursday from the Dubai International Stadium.
Younis Khan is absent for Pakistan as he recovers from dengue and in his place, Babar Azam is expected to fill the veteran cricketer's boots. It's will be the 21-year-old's maiden Test match and there will be no grander occasion for Azam to make his debut than in his team's 400th Test match.
"I think there could be no better time than this to make his [Azam's] Test debut," said Pakistan Test cricket team captain Misbah ul Haq. "He has played mature innings and has developed well. He has played well not only here but also in New Zealand and looks a good prospect."
For West Indies, who are ranked No. 8 among the Test teams by the ICC, will be banking on the experience of Marlon Samuels, who may not have had a great form off late, but he could still try and get back his form in the Test series against Pakistan. The likes of Dwayne Bravo and Devendra Bishoo will also be expected to put their best foot forward for the Caribbean side.
"We obviously went down in our last series [against India], but it is a fresh series here and we had a pretty good lead up to this Test series," West Indies Test cricket team captain Jason Holder sounded positive. "We have been here quite a while and most of the guys had a good camp in the Caribbean."
Schedule
Pakistan vs West Indies 1st Test match will get under way at 3.30pm local time (5pm IST, 12.30pm BST, 7.30am ET) on 13 October.
Where to watch live
India: TV - Ten 3, Ten 1 HD. Live streaming - Ten Sports live.
Pakistan: TV - PTV Sports. Live streaming - PTV Sports live.
USA: Willow TV. Live streaming - YouTube.
UK: Zee. Live streaming - None.
