Pakistan vs West Indies ODI series: Babar hopes to push against virus-induced West Indies

Captain Babar Azam hopes to keep Pakistan’s momentum of victory against the West Indies caused by the virus from Monday.

Three Indian players – Sheldon Cottrell on the left wing, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers all around – tested positive for the coronavirus and Karachin was left out of the Twenty20 series. Karachin will be isolated for 10 days and will be monitored by a team doctor until negative tests return.

The West Indies Twenty20 team is already missing out on the three-game Twenty20 series after three ODIs, including Karachin. Notable absences include white ball skipper Kieron Pollard, who will miss out on injury from a T20 World Cup scandal, and Andre Russell while playing in the Australian Big Bash League.

“(T20) We will try to take the lead in the World Cup,” Babar told reporters at a video conference on Sunday. “We (the West Indies) are not going to take it easy because they have not brought in the best players. They’ve played CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and international matches, so you have to give 100 percent to win them. ”

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Three West Indies cricketers in Pakistan are infected with the virus

Babar led from the front with plenty of races in the U20 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, when Pakistan won five of its set matches before beating the Australian champions in the semi-finals. Pakistan continued its excellent run by beating Bangladesh Twenty20 3-0 in Bangladesh before winning the two-match Test series 2-0.

The defending champion of the West Indies, on the other hand, won the cap in the Basque Country because he did not qualify for the finals. The injured Pollard was replaced by Nicholas Pooran for the Twenty20 series, and Shai Hope will lead the ODIs.

Babar looked favorably on the West Indies for losing three players as a result of the coronavirus and thought it was difficult for cricketers to spend time in isolation.

“It’s a difficult time for a team when your player is positive,” he said. “It’s difficult to live in isolation, our team has gone through that. When you are alone in the classroom, a lot of negative things come to mind and the combination of groups can also have an effect. “

Pakistan has lost its only Twenty20 series since international cricket in 2015 returned to Pakistan, when Sri Lanka won 3-0 in 2019. He has won twice in Zimbabwe and has also won series against Bangladesh, South Africa, World XI and West India. He made his final tour in 2018.

The Pakistani government has allowed full capacity crowds at the National Stadium since the pandemic began, and Babar hoped fans of home teams would see a quality cricket.

“The main thing is that we’re playing the home series and the best thing for us is to fill the crowd at the stadium.”