Five reasons why Pakistan will defeat West Indies in the 1st ODI

4. Greater balance

Shahid Afridi’s inclusion gives more options for Pakistan, especially in bowling

Pakistan have improved their squad with the changes that they have made. In Shahid Afrdi, they have an inconsistent but explosive lower-middle order batsman who can be a significant threat with the ball. In fact, he is more of a bowling all-rounder in this side than a batsman who bowls part-time.

Umar Akmal is a greater batting talent as compared to his elder brother and if he can handle the gloves well, he can be a long-term asset for this side. Ahmed Shehzad played a determined knock of 68 in hostile conditions in the practice match against Guyana when most of the other batsman failed to convert starts into anything substantial.