PAK vs WI: Kieron Pollard ruled out of series with hamstring injury
Kieron Pollard will not be a part of the Pakistan tour owing to the hamstring injury he picked during the recently-concluded 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The 34-year-old is understood to not be fully fit and needs more time for regaining match fitness.
In the 34-year-old’s absence, Nicholas Pooran has been given the leadership duties for the T20I series, whereas Shai Hope will be captaining in the ODIs. Further, Devon Thomas and Rovman Powell have been added into the ODI and T20I squad, respectively as Pollard’s replacements.
Pollard, meanwhile, will continue his rehabilitation and recovery under the supervision of physios and medics in Trinidad, before West Indies embark on the series against Ireland and England.
As of now, the team will touch down in Pakistan on December 9 and is set to play three T20Is and as many T20Is – all at Karachi’s National Stadium – from December 13 to 22.
The ODIs will all be a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, which ensures a direct qualification for the top seven teams plus hosts (India) for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Currently, West Indies occupies the eighth spot in 13 teams, with four wins and five losses, while Pakistan are only a spot above them, ranked seventh, with identical wins and losses.
The series will also mark the return of crowds to the stadium as the Pakistan Cricket Board has obtained National Command and Control Center (NCOC) approval in that regard. Ever since the arrival of the pandemic, all cricket in Pakistan has been played behind closed doors. The New Zealand series was supposed to witness crowds up to 25% capacity, but the visiting team cancelled the tour at the last moment citing security threats.
