Story Pakistan Career | Cricket Captain 2025 | Pakistan won the T20I and ODI Series both by 2-1 against West Indies

Should Babar Azam be given a chance till Asia Cup 2025?


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  • Poll closed .
1st Match
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Playing XIs
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Toss: West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl.

1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Match Summary:
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Match Notes:

It was a bad start. The openers got out cheaply followed by another mediocre little partnership from Babar and Salman. At one point Pakistan were 65/5. If it weren't for the heroics of Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, I don't think Pakistan would've had a chance in this game. Fakhar scored a blistering 41 before he got caught.

146 Target wasn't a big one. It was the special performance from Shaheen Afridi with the new ball. The spells we know him for, that blasted the West Indies top order. From there on end it was all dominoes for the West Indies. Whoever came to bowl for Pakistan was amongst the wickets.

I'm considering Fakhar's no. 6 position again if it's right for the team or if he should come up, maybe even open. Cause Saim is locked as one opener and Mohammad Haris is not giving that confidence. Or at least the starts we need him for. The problem is that if Haris sits out then who will keep? Farhan is barely a part time keeper and his own performance hasn't been satisfactory. Babar also needs to pick up pace, or this maybe his last T20I series for a while.
 
2nd Match
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Playing XIs
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Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Match Summary:

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Match Notes:

Firstly, these two were the sh*tiest pitches I have come across. Simply bad pitches for T20 Cricket. So much movement up front. There were bye runs too in this T20. Can you believe that?

Seeing the pattern of last game. Same XI was played and the usual picture unrolled. Top order got out quickly. Salman and Hasan took upon the responsibility and they did not only got a solid partnership in, but also scored at a quick rate. After their departure, Fakhar Zaman took the mantle, scoring 44*.

Looking at the last game this 162 target was definitely going to be difficult for the opponents and it proved so. Hasan Ali this time was the star. As he picked like 3 or 4 wickets inside the powerplay. It was difficult for West Indies to make a comeback from then on. Hence why I used this opportunity to give full quota of overs to Hasan Nawaz, who did well until the last over where Powell took him to cleaners. I think Hasan Nawaz can be a useful 4th seam option when needed.

I'm leaning on giving Babar and this group of guys and setup a leeway till Asia Cup 2025.

There's a poll in this Thread. Vote now! (I will try to involve your input via polls)
 
3rd Match
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Playing XIs
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Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl.

1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Match Summary:

Match 3 Summary.png

Match Notes:

In all this bad pitch thought I had honestly forgot to celebrate this series win. But this pitch was also bad.

Anyways since the series was in the bag. Muqeem replaced Abrar, Minhas (Debutant) replaced Shadab and Farhan replaced Haris, since he was not feeling well. I used this opportunity to test Farhan's WK skills.

To change things. This time we batted 2nd. Shaheen once again was brilliant with his bowling. West Indies still put up a good total considering their collapse in the middle. Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Muqeem bowled really well.

The chase was a really strange one. Both Saim and Farhan initially struggled. Farhan did put a couple boundaries but not before departing. Then Babar came in and tried to accelerate and couldn't. Saim to my surprise played the most astonishing innings. Scoring 25 runs after facing 43 balls! A strike rate unheard of in T20 Cricket. After his dismissal it was a downhill and we lost the game.
 
Series Review:

:pak: Pakistan vs :wi: West Indies - 3 Match T20Is (Away) - July/August 2025 -
Pakistan won the series by 2-1

15-Member Squad

1st T20I - 31 July - Jamaica (Away) - Pakistan won by 63 runs
2nd T20I - 2 August - Trinidad (Away) - Pakistan won by 27 runs
3rd T20I - 3 August - Antigua (Away) - West Indies won by 25 runs

Key Findings:
- Fakhar Zaman was the highest run scorer with 104 runs (Average 52 and Strike Rate 160). Very impressive considering the conditions.
- Shaheen Afridi was the highest wicket taker with 9 wickets (Average 7 and Strike Rate 7).
- Pitches were the worst I had come across yet for this format.
- Teams batting first won all games and comfortably.
- Hasan Nawaz can be used as 4th seam option in limited overs cricket if needed.
- Arafat Minhas made his debut. He was impressive.
- Babar Azam needs to accelerate.
- Mohammad Haris needs to find good form.
- Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Nawaz are performing as middle order batters.
 
Next: 3 Match ODI Series (Away) vs :wi: West Indies

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Press Release:


Rizwan will lead Pakistan for the 3 ODIs against West Indies. From the last ODI squad, Shaheen Afridi replaces Shahnawaz Dahani and Abrar Ahmed replaces Sufiyan Muqeem. This is done to strengthen the side further and have our best available team compete in the series.

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15-member squad:

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1st Match
Match 1 Head.png

Playing XIs
Match 1 WI XI.pngMatch 1 Pak XI.png


Toss: West Indies won the toss and elected to bat.

1st Innings
Match 1 1st Inns.png

2nd Innings
Match 1 2nd Inns.png

Match Summary:

Match 1 Summary.png

Match Notes:

It seems like both the teams misread the pitch. I had played 4 seamers thinking the spinners might have a tough time considering the flatness of the pitch but I was wrong.

West Indies went off to a flyer but then the spinners Salman Agha and Abrar Ahmed came in to put the breaks. Salman had a fantastic outing. All fast bowlers went for runs. Though Wasim Jr was decent at the death.

Target was not easy but the top 3 of Fakhar, Saim and Babar made it look easy. They look in phenomenal form in the format. Babar is even batting faster than he does in T20Is. Ridiculous!

The chase was completed in the last over but it was in control for the most part.

For next game. Might need to add another spinner.
 
3rd Match
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Playing XIs
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Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl.

1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Match Summary:

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Match Notes:

In all this bad pitch thought I had honestly forgot to celebrate this series win. But this pitch was also bad.

Anyways since the series was in the bag. Muqeem replaced Abrar, Minhas (Debutant) replaced Shadab and Farhan replaced Haris, since he was not feeling well. I used this opportunity to test Farhan's WK skills.

To change things. This time we batted 2nd. Shaheen once again was brilliant with his bowling. West Indies still put up a good total considering their collapse in the middle. Arafat Minhas and Sufiyan Muqeem bowled really well.

The chase was a really strange one. Both Saim and Farhan initially struggled. Farhan did put a couple boundaries but not before departing. Then Babar came in and tried to accelerate and couldn't. Saim to my surprise played the most astonishing innings. Scoring 25 runs after facing 43 balls! A strike rate unheard of in T20 Cricket. After his dismissal it was a downhill and we lost the game.
Saim playing a true PCCS knock
 
2nd Match

Match 2 Head.png

Playing XIs
Match 2 WI XI.pngMatch 2 Pak XI.png


Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

1st Innings
Match 2 1st Inns.png

2nd Innings
Match 2 2nd Inns.png

Match Summary:

Match 2 Summary.png

Match Notes:

Looking at the last game. I decided to bat first after winning the toss and added an additional spinner (Mehran) in place of Rauf. Which proved to be a good idea.

The batter had a good start up top. Babar Azam at one point looked the best batter. But after him and Saim's departure it was a mini collapse which was handled well by Naseem, Mehran and Wasim Jr. Mehran I thought should good batting potential.

On to defending. The job was made easier by a great spell up top from Wasim Jr. Shaheen and Naseem also assisted. Afterwards it was one way for the West Indies. Sherfane Rutherford was the only one who should resilience. Unlucky for him that his partners kept getting out.

Also I think we forgot that Saim can bowl too. From now on you may see him bowl as well. This game allowed the option to utilize all our bowling options. Which was nice.

In the end a comfortable win and another series to our name.
 
3rd Match
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Playing XIs
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Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

1st Innings
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2nd Innings
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Match Summary:

Match 3 Summary.png

Match Notes:

As you can see from the playing XI. A lot of changes since series was in our name already. Pretty much everyone from bench played this one. Call it an experimental XI. Rauf replaced Shaheen, Samad replaced Abrar, Ghulam replaced Babar, Haseebullah replaced Fakhar and Naseem batted at no. 4. Batting was very deep for this game and bowling was compromised.

Oddly enough with a strong experimental batting. It didn't worked out as well. Saim again, as usual played in his sublime form. Ghulam was slow at the start but picked up a bit. Rizwan was really good but the lower order didn't responded. Naseem also batted above no. 7 for the first time ever. He failed. Abdul Samad had his debut game and couldn't quite get going.

Alzarri Joseph had quite the outing for West Indies as he picked up a fifer.

An easier target this for the opponents. The bowling attack did tried their best lead by Naseem and Wasim. The partnership between Carty and Hope was the key. That took the game away.

So we end up with another series 2-1 and this marks the end of the tour of West Indies.
 
Series Review:

:pak: Pakistan vs :wi: West Indies - 3 Match ODIs (Away) - August 2025 - Pakistan won the series by 2-1

15-Member Squad

1st ODI - 8 August - Jamaica (Away) - Pakistan won by 8 wickets
2nd ODI - 10 August - Trinidad (Away) - Pakistan won by 66 runs
3rd ODI - 12 August - Antigua (Away) - West Indies won by 5 wickets

Key Findings:
- Saim Ayub was the top run scorer with 259 runs (Average 86 and Strike Rate 82).
- Mohammad Wasim Jr was the top wicket taker with 9 wickets (Average 15 and Strike Rate 17).
- The top 3 (Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub) were in sublime form.
- Abdul Samad made his ODI debut in the 3rd game.
- Naseem Shah batted above no. 7 for the 1st time. He doesn't look ready as a batter. But we have to find a way to turn him into an All Rounder (One of our key objectives). Maybe we have to introduce a real all rounder and slowly transition Naseem under his shadow. We'll see.
- Mehran is proving to be a useful spin all rounder in ODI format. Which is good as it's one of the objectives.
- Wasim Jr is showing real signs of establishing himself as the go to backup pacer or maybe even making a case for permanent XI.
- Saim should be used more often with the ball. Specially on spinning tracks.

 

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