High-flying Pakistan start as favourites against a Covid-hit West Indies team in the first of three Twenty20 internationals in Karachi today.

Already missing a number of top players including skipper Kieron Pollard, the West Indies were dealt an additional blow when left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.

The tourists will now have to pick replacements from their large touring squad against an in-form Pakistan playing in familiar conditions.

Babar Azam's team followed their semi-final showing at the Twenty20 World Cup with a 3-0 rout of Bangladesh in an away series last month. "We want to carry the momentum and the confidence that we have gained during the World Cup and the tour of Bangladesh," Babar said.

Pakistan have beaten the West Indies in 12 of their 18 T20I clashes, suffering three losses and as many no results. "We know what happened in the World Cup and we're not going to go back there," West Indies coach Phil Simmons said.