Cricket Prediction | WI vs PAK | Pakistan tour of West Indies 2025 | 1st T20I | July 31 – Will the Pitch Help Spinners or Pacers?

WI vs PAK Match Analysis

The highly anticipated first T20 International between West Indies and Pakistan will take place at the Lauderhill Cricket Stadium on July 31, 2025. The match is scheduled for an evening start, promising an electrifying contest under the lights. 

Bringing together fresh talent and veteran experience, the West Indies rely on Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer for steadiness, with Sherfane Rutherford providing the middle order’s explosive edge. 

Pakistan’s squad boasts a dynamic mix of pace and spin options alongside powerful batsmen. Captain Salman Agha leads from the front, supported by the all-round prowess of Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali’s wicket-taking abilities. 

West Indies vs Pakistan Team Preview & Squads

West Indies

Shai Hope leads the West Indies side with calmness and maturity, known for his technical acumen and sharp cricketing mind. As wicketkeeper-captain, he plays a pivotal role both behind the stumps and with the bat. 

Brandon King and Keacy Carty provide a solid foundation at the top for the WI, supported by the aggressive middle order of Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford. Holder’s all‑round talents and Hope’s mature composure add substantial reinforcement to the squad’s depth.

With Alzarri Joseph’s fast and bouncy deliveries at the forefront, the bowling lineup is rounded out by Akeal Hosein’s spin and the seamers Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde, offering both adaptability and precision.

During the 5th T20I at Basseterre on July 28, 2025, WI posted a competitive 170 runs against Australia. However, Australia made light work of the chase, reaching 173 for 7 with 18 balls to spare to seal a 3-wicket victory. 

West Indies Squad

West Indies

Brandon King, Shai Hope (c, wk), Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Jediah Blades

Pakistan

Salman Agha leads PAK with an aggressive and tactical approach, often setting attacking fields and backing his bowlers to deliver under pressure. His calmness in tight situations and ability to inspire his teammates is a key factor in Pakistan’s recent successes. 

Pakistan’s batting order is robust with explosive starters like Fakhar Zaman and solid middle-order contributors such as Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah. Mohammad Haris, the wicketkeeper-batsman, adds versatility and finishing skills. The presence of consistent players like Hasan Nawaz ensures that the lineup is deep and resilient.

The duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi brings explosive pace and swing, making them vital assets for Pakistan in both opening and closing overs. The spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Hasan Ali keeps things tight in the middle phase, complementing the pace attack and adding depth through their experience.

PAK convincingly defeated Bangladesh in the 3rd T20I at Dhaka on July 24, 2025, posting 178 for 7. Bangladesh struggled in the chase, managing only 104 runs in 16.4 overs, handing Pakistan a 74-run victory. Pakistan’s win was a testament to their command in both the batting and bowling departments.

Pakistan Squad

Pakistan

Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

WI vs PAK Outfield Report

Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill

The pitch at Lauderhill is known to favor batsmen, offering good bounce and true carry throughout the innings. Early movement might assist the seamers in the powerplay, but the surface typically settles into a high-scoring track as the game progresses. Spinners can expect some turn and variation under lights, adding an intriguing layer to the contest.

Weather conditions are expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures hovering around 30°C during the match. Light breezes may provide some relief, but humidity could challenge players’ endurance. Rain is unlikely, allowing for an uninterrupted game.

Historically, the highest scores at this venue in T20Is hover around 190-200 runs, while the lowest successful chases have been in the region of 140-150. Teams batting first generally look to set a target of 170+ to put pressure on the opposition, making the toss an important factor in strategy formulation.

West Indies vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five T20I meetings, Pakistan holds a slight edge with three wins to West Indies’ two. These contests have been closely fought, with several matches decided in the final overs, highlighting the competitive nature of this fixture.

WI vs PAK Prediction

According to cricket analysts West Indies have a 53% chance of Winning.