Live Cricket Score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st ODI at Sharjah

The significance of the three-match One-Day International series between Pakistan and West Indies can be encapsulated by the fact that both nations will be aiming to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2019 50-over World Cup, with a series victory.

It has to be noted that only the top-eight ranked teams are ensured of a direct qualification for the World Cup and and as of now, West Indies and Pakistan are ranked 8th and 9th, respectively. For the home side to move up the ladder, they need to win the series 3-0.

Pakistan, who put up sub-par performances in England to lose the series 4-1, will aim to start afresh. Sharjeel Khan, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed need to make an impact with the bat for the hosts to notch up tall scores. Akmal, in particular, is on a comeback trail and has to raise the stakes in order to cement his place in the side.

In the bowling department, Imad Wasim, with his nagging control, might turn out to be Pakistan's key weapon on a slow Sharjah track. Mohammad Amir, who had a rather quiet tour of UK, will try to regain form. Pakistan will also be pleased with the fact that they won the three-match Twenty20 International series against West Indies 3-0.

On the other hand, West Indies will hope for Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels to make substantial contributions. Evin Lewis, the explosive opener, is set to don his first ODI cap. If West Indies' top-order lays a solid platform, the likes of Kieron Pollard and Carlos Brathwaite have the ability to land in the big hits in the slog overs. On the bowling front, Sunil Narine will look to continue the good form that he showed back home in the tri-series, featuring West Indies, Australia and South Africa.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kraigg Brathwaite, who has already played 31 Tests for West Indies, will make his ODI debut while Riaz comes in for Gul for the home side. Incidentally, both Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal are warming the bench.

"The pitch being used at Sharjah is not a usual one," reckons Bazid Khan. "There will be something in it for the spinners and the wicket looks slow. We can expect the spinners to do most of the damage."

Teams:

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin(w), Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder(c), Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Narine, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel

Pakistan (Playing XI): Azhar Ali(c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali