Pakistan bat first against Windies in second ODI

Pakistan vs West Indies

SHARJAH: Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat first in the second of a three-match One day International (ODI) Series against the West Indies on Sunday.

"The surface is good. It will take the batsmen some time to settle, but there are plenty of runs on offer," Azhar said.

Pakistan's lineup remained unchanged, but the West Indies were forced to make a change after Shannon Gabriel was ruled out with a sore neck. Gabriel has been replaced by Alzarri Jospeh, who is making his ODI debut in the match.

Azhar Ali took strike, partnered with Sharjeel Khan, as Windies captain Jason Holder started proceedings. Holder will share the ball with Alzarri Joseph.

Pakistan won the first match of the series, giving them a 1-0 lead, building on their 3-0 whitewash in the Twenty20 series from which the current line-up will seek inspiration.

Holder blamed poor batting for his side's demise in the first ODI. "We didn't bat well, especially against spin,” said Holder. “We have to adjust and improve quickly," he said.

Team line-ups

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (w), Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Sohail Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (w), Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Narine, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel, Jonathan Carter, Ashley Nurse, Evin Lewis, Alzarri Joseph.