Pakistan Tour of West Indies 2025: Fantasy Picks & Prediction Notes
After a thrilling T20I series win for Pakistan, the ODI series begins with a high-stakes clash at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba. With a mix of seasoned pros and fresh firepower, both teams are approaching this series as a key phase in their World Cup 2027 preparation. Fantasy players on Vision11 can expect plenty of differential picks and value from spin and all-round contributions on a slow Caribbean surface.
| Match | Date and Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 8th August, 11:30 PM IST | Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad |
| 2nd ODI | 10th August, 7.00 PM IST | Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad |
| 3rd ODI | 12th August, 7:00 PM IST | Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad |
Probable Playing XIs – 1st ODI
Pakistan Probable Playing XI
- Mohammad Rizwan (C, wk)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Abdullah Shafique
- Babar Azam
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Agha
- Faheem Ashraf
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Hasan Ali
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
Notes: This XI brings experience and aggression. Rizwan and Babar remain the stabilizers, while Fakhar and Saim can accelerate. A solid pace trio—Shaheen, Naseem, Hasan—backs up two spin-bowling all-rounders in Nawaz and Salman.
West Indies Probable Playing XI
- Shai Hope (C,wk)
- Brandon King
- Evin Lewis
- Rovman Powell
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Romario Shepherd
- Jason Holder
- Roston Chase
- Akeal Hosein
- Alzarri Joseph
Notes: A full-strength XI with power-hitters and all-rounders stacked through the middle. Shai Hope and Evin Lewis provide stability up top, while Powell and Hetmyer deliver explosiveness. Hosein and Chase will be vital on spin-friendly turf.
Team Form & Fantasy Outlook
Pakistan ODI Preview
Pakistan’s team structure is ODI-ready, with top-order consistency, a versatile middle, and a deadly pace trio. The team will rely on Rizwan’s match sense, Babar’s class, and the balance brought by Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf.
Vision11 Picks:
- Core Picks: Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi
- Budget Differentials: Salman Agha, Hasan Ali
- High-Risk, High-Reward: Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf
West Indies ODI Preview
West Indies’ batting runs deep, with finishers like Shepherd and Powell providing end-overs power. Their bowling unit thrives in home conditions, with Hosein and Joseph offering variety.
Vision11 Picks:
Top Picks: Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein
Safe Budget Picks: Roston Chase, Jason Holder
X-Factor Picks: Hetmyer, Rutherford
Vision11 Fantasy Tips – 1st ODI
Captain Choice:
Babar Azam – Supreme consistency in ODIs; capable of building a 100+ score with high strike rate and control.
Vice-Captain Choice:
Shai Hope – Anchors West Indies innings; wicket keeper + batter = steady points return.
Captain Choice:
Babar Azam – Supreme consistency in ODIs; capable of building a 100+ score with high strike rate and control.
Vice-Captain Choice:
Shai Hope – Anchors West Indies innings; wicket keeper + batter = steady points return.
Other Key Picks:
Mohammad Rizwan – Involved throughout; safe fantasy floor as captain + keeper.
Akeal Hosein – Early overs + middle phase control on a slow pitch.
Shaheen Afridi – Wicket-taker in powerplay; great for early breakthroughs.
Jason Holder – Can bowl full quota and contribute handy 30s late.
Mohammad Nawaz – Crucial on dry pitch; can contribute with both bat and ball.
️Fantasy Strategy Notes:
- Pick spinners and all-rounders: Slow surfaces reward Nawaz, Chase, and Hosein.
- Prefer top 4 batters: Rizwan, Hope, Babar, Lewis most likely to face bulk of deliveries.
- Watch for match-ups: Fakhar may struggle against early swing; Holder and Joseph could exploit this.
Bowler vs Batsman History (Head-to-Head Highlights)
Shaheen Afridi vs Brandon King
- Shaheen has dismissed King 3 times in 5 innings.
- King struggles with in-swinging yorkers early.
Tip: Avoid King when Shaheen opens the bowling.
Babar Azam vs Akeal Hosein
- Babar has scored at 120+ SR and hasn’t been dismissed by Akeal in 3+ innings.
Tip: Safe captain pick even if Akeal bowls early overs.
Shai Hope vs Pakistani Pace
- Excellent player of seam, averages 45+ vs right-arm pace.
Tip: Good ODI pick when facing Haris Rauf/Naseem. Use with caution vs spin.
Brian Lara Stadium Pitch Report – Tarouba
The pitch at Tarouba typically favors slow bowlers and those who vary pace. Early movement fades quickly, and batting becomes harder as the innings progresses. Spinners often dominate the middle overs, and scores around 250–270 are defendable.
Fantasy Takeaway: Stack your Vision11 team with middle-order spinners, all-rounders, and openers who play spin well.
Weather Overview & Fantasy Implications
August 8 – 1st ODI
Expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain.
- Rain threat: Likely within morning hours; moderate chance of interruptions.
- Fantasy impact: Opt for strong top-order batters and an all‑rounder or pacer to mitigate shortened innings.
August 10 – 2nd ODI
The Forecast calls for clouds and sunshine with a couple of showers.
- Rain threat: Brief rain possible during match hours, especially afternoon.
- Fantasy impact: Select players active in early overs; avoid low-order batters as innings may be cut short by rain or DLS adjustments.
August 12 – 3rd ODI
Mostly cloudy with light rain expected.
- Rain threat: Light but persistent—not heavy storms.
- Fantasy impact: Wind up squad with stable performers. Include versatile all‑rounders for safe returns.
Weather Patterns in Tarouba
- Tarouba lies in a tropical monsoon climate, making August part of the wet season with average monthly rain around 212 mm and about 14–15 rainy days
- Historical reports confirm that rain often leads to intermittent play stoppages or DLS-adjusted matches, especially in ODIs held here in early August (e.g. WI vs IND in 2023)
- Even short showers can slow outfields and affect bowling grip or fielding agility.
Conclusion
With the ODI series kicking off, both Pakistan and West Indies are eyeing series dominance. For Vision11 fantasy players, this is a great chance to go beyond star names and pick smart combinations based on pitch conditions, match roles, and recent form. Be sure to lock in your team after the toss and keep your all-rounders close—this format rewards versatility.
FAQ’s?
Captain: Babar Azam | Vice-Captain: Shai Hope
Shaheen Afridi, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Nawaz
Westes, both are bowling all-rounders with chances to bat and bowl full quotas. Indies lead with 30 wins, India has won 23, and 47 matches ended in draws out of 100 Tests.
High risk–high reward. Great on his day, but risky against swing.
3 top-order batters, 2 all-rounders, 3 bowlers (include at least 2 spinners), 1 wicket keeper, 2 finishers.