Multan, June 7: Intensive heat will test the fitness of players when Pakistan hosts the West Indies in the three-match limited-overs international series starting here on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had to relocate the series to Multan from Rawalpindi last week because of the uncertain political situation in the country. The opposition, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is planning rallies in the federal capital Islamabad, which is adjacent to Rawalpindi.
The temperature is expected to top 45 degrees Celsius this week in Multan, and organisers have pushed back the starting time for games to 4:00 p.m. local time to give some respite from the intense heat.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also planned to provide players with ice collars and vests during stoppages in play and extra water breaks to keep them hydrated.
West Indies are coming off a 3-0 series win over Netherlands last week at Amstelveen, where their top-order batters scored prolifically. Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope and Kyle Mayers scored centuries while Brandon King also made 91 not out in the second game.
The two spinners – Akeal Hosein and Hayden Walsh Junior – took the bulk of the wickets, combining for 12 between them.
Windies will be strengthened with the return of Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd, who both missed the series against the Netherlands because of visa issues. They will join the team in Multan later on Tuesday.
The Windies’ ODI series in Pakistan was postponed last year after a COVID outbreak in the squad during the preceding T20 series.
The Pakistan squad has spent a week in Lahore, where the weather is similar to Multan. Captain Babar Azam hoped the players were well prepared. (AP)
