Pakistan cricket team will aim to clinch the three-match series when they take on West Indies in the second one-day international (day and night) at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Friday (today), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pakistan won the first match by five wickets after a thrilling contest. West Indies gave brilliant performance while batting first on Wednesday night. The scorching Multan heat — with temperatures soaring to between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius (104 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit) — did not stop Shai Hope and Shamarh Brooks, who both batted with guts and power to help their team pass 300 to set a formidable target for the hosts. But skipper Babar Azam and his men overhauled the target in 49.2 overs.

Along with the win, Babar became the first batsman to twice score three consecutive centuries in one-day internationals after his 103 helped Pakistan race home. Babar shared a 103-run partnership with Imamul Haq (65) and a 108-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan (59) as Pakistan chased down a target of 306 in Multan to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series.

West Indian skipper Nicholas Pooran is all praise for his team. “Getting 300 plus in tough conditions was a great effort,” said Pooran. “I am proud of the guys and although result did not go our way but that’s cricket.”

He said they would try their best in the remaining matches to win the series to get crucial points in the ODI Super League, a qualification process for 2023 World Cup (50 overs) to be hosted by India.

Pitch report

The pitch at the Multan Cricket Stadium is a belter of a track. The batters enjoy batting on this surface as the ball comes nicely onto the willow.

The surface gets good for batting under lights and the bowlers will have to be disciplined with their lines and lengths while bowling on this surface.

Weather forecast

Clear skies will greet both sides on Friday. The temperature in Multan is expected to range between 31 and 44 degrees Celsius.

Pakistan and West Indies Possible Starting XI:

Pakistan Predicted Starting Line-up: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, K. Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Haris Rauf

West Indies Predicted Starting Line-up: Nicholas Pooran (c), Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope(wk), Brandon King, Rovman Powell, J. Seales, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Hayden Walsh Jr.