Eye on the future in dead rubber
The series is in hand but having faced a lot of criticism since he was appointed captain last year, Shoaib Malik will be keen to complete a whitewash
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Match facts
Nov 16, 2008Start time 3pm (1100 GMT)
Big Picture
The series is in hand but having faced a lot of criticism since he was appointed captain last year, Shoaib Malik will be keen to complete a whitewash to boost the side's confidence ahead of India's tour of Pakistan early next year. The first two matches have been fairly close, with West Indies holding the edge at half-time. A nerveless performance from Kamran Akmal, when his side needed 17 off the last over, gave Pakistan the series lead while a disciplined and tight performance from the seamers handed them the series win. It's now time for the others to step up.Form guide (last 5 ODIs)
Pakistan WWWWLWest Indies LLWWW
Watch out for
Saeed Ajmal: He dropped two catches off Shivnarine Chanderpaul but also picked up a wicket while bowling an economical nine overs for 38 runs. He made his ODI debut against India in the Asia Cup and will be keen to make the squad for the five-match one-day series against the same opposition in February 2009.Team news
Pakistan are unlikely to change a winning combination despite it being a dead rubber. Saeed Ajmal is likely to keep his place over Fawad Alam, who went wicketless in the first match, as is Iftikhar Anjum, who was unlucky not get more than one wicket in the second ODI - Chanderpaul was dropped off his bowling. Malik said Shoaib Akhtar was struggling with a calf injury and his fitness will be assessed ahead of the final match. But Pakistan would not want to risk straining Shoaib in a match that holds no consequence for them.Stats & Trivia
- Sohail Tanvir has been the most economical bowler among those who have bowled more than 15 overs in the series so far. He has conceded 3.89 an over for his five wickets at 14.80. Lionel Baker is the next-best, having given away 4.31 an over for four wickets at 20.50.
Quotes
"We will do our best because my aim has always been to improve and be among the world's top two teams. Here is an opportunity for us to do that."Shoaib Malik is keen to push for a 3-0 scoreline