MULTAN, Pakistan, Jan 15, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan will look to formidable
spin duo Noman Ali and Sajid Khan to torment the visitors when the West
Indies play their first Test series in the country in 19 years from Friday.

Pakistan capitalised on home advantage when England came in October,
tailoring pitches for slow bowling to snap a painful winless streak with a 2-
1 victory.

Noman and Sajid played starring roles and are joined in the squad by Abrar
Ahmed, hinting at a three-pronged spin assault in the two-match series in
Multan.

The West Indies last toured Pakistan in 2006, before a militant attack on the
visiting Sri Lanka team three years later scared off international sides.

Andre Coley is in charge of a West Indies team which has won only two of its
last 13 Tests, before he hands over the reins to white-ball coach Daren Sammy
in April.

"It's a new series, a new opportunity," Coley told reporters as the team
arrived last week.

"When you talk about Test cricket, it's not only the opposition's skill that
provides tests, but the different conditions, different environments and
different game situations."

- 'Land the first punch' -

Pakistan selectors delivered victory against England by taking the bold
decision to drop ace batsman Babar Azam and pace pair Shaheen Shah Afridi and
Naseem Shah.

Left-arm spinner Noman and off-spinner Sajid shared 39 of 40 England wickets
on pitches baked with patio heaters and dried with fans, clinching the series
after losing the first match.

"We bounced back well against England," said skipper Shan Masood of a series
that salvaged his reputation after Pakistan lost their first six matches
under his captaincy.

"With backs against the wall we did well. We need to learn how to land the
first punch," he said after his team suffered a 2-0 defeat in South Africa
last week.

Azam has regained his place but Shaheen and Naseem remain out in a bid to
manage their workloads.

Opener Saim Ayub is suffering from a calf injury sustained in South Africa
and his partner Abdullah Shafique is dropped because of poor form, leaving
the door open for the return of experienced Imam-ul-Haq.

To match Pakistan's spin attack, the West Indies will deploy left-armers
Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican, as well as Kevin Sinclair.

Kemar Roach will head the pace attack in the absence of Shamar Joseph -- out
with a shin injury -- and Alzarri Joseph who has opted to play T20 cricket in
the UAE.

The second Test starts January 25, with the series deciding which team will
finish bottom of the World Test Championship table.

Pakistan currently rank eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.

South Africa and Australia have already qualified for June's WTC final at
Lord's despite Australia's shock loss to the West Indies in Brisbane last
year.

Squads:

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-
ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad
Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze,
Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle
Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden
Seales, Jomel Warrican