Multan (Web Desk): Pakistan captain won the toss and opted to bat in the opening Test against the West Indies in Multan, despite a delayed start due to poor visibility.
The scheduled toss at 9 a.m. was postponed for several hours due to thick fog that enveloped the city. It eventually took place at 1pm, once the weather conditions cleared up.
Both teams are playing a strategic hand, with three spinners and a solitary frontline pacer each, anticipating the dry, spin-friendly conditions of the Multan pitch to make an early impact.
Pakistan's lineup sees 22-year-old opener Muhammad Hurraira making his debut, while the West Indies hand a first cap to top-order batsman Tevin Imlach.
This series holds significance in the World Test Championship standings, with Pakistan sitting eighth and the West Indies in the ninth spot. The second Test will commence on January 25, also in Multan.
Teams:
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Muhammad Hurraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
