Pakistan choose to field first in opening ODI versus West Indies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening match of a three-match one-day international (ODI) series against the West Indies.

Having clinched the T20I series, Pakistan will be looking to carry that momentum into the ODIs.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this is only the second men’s ODI to be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, after West Indies hosted India there in 2023.

The match is being played under lights, while the remaining two fixtures will be day games, starting at 9:30 am local time (6:30 am Pakistan time).

🪙 Toss Update!

🇵🇰 Pakistan win the toss & choose to field first in the opening ODI vs West Indies 🏏#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/m513NOQ27f

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 8, 2025

Pakistan, ranked fourth in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings, will aim to assert dominance over a West Indies side currently placed tenth.

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The two teams have met 137 times in ODIs, with Pakistan winning 63 matches, West Indies 71, and three ending in ties.

The ODI rivalry dates back to the inaugural 1975 World Cup. Pakistan has claimed 11 bilateral ODI series against West Indies, who last beat the Men in Green in a series back in 1991.

Led by wicket-keeper batter Rizwan, Pakistan’s 15-man squad squad features a mix of youth and experience, including promising youngsters like uncapped batter Hassan Nawaz and left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim.

However, the team will miss the services of Fakhar Zaman, who was ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury during the second T20I.

Here’s 🇵🇰 Pakistan’s playing XI for the 1st ODI vs West Indies 📋#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/67gq4XRFkb

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 8, 2025

Mohammad Rizwan, who has captained Pakistan in 17 ODIs so far, is hoping to add another series victory to his growing resume in leadership as Pakistan begin to shape their squad ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

“We are looking forward to put our best foot forward in the ODI format and this away series in tough conditions promises to be a fine challenge for our budding squad. We have got some exciting players like Sufyan Moqim and Hassan Nawaz in the ranks, who are eager to further prove their mettle in 50-over cricket.

“Facing West Indies in their backyard is never easy and with the help of the Almighty, we’ll look to express ourselves with both bat and ball in order to clinch the series. They too have some exciting players in the mix which will surely increase the competitiveness of the three matches.”

PAKISTAN ODI SQUAD

Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim