'We don't underestimate West Indies'

Bob Woolmer advising his players not to take West Indies lightly © Getty Images

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, expects a stiff challenge from West Indies in their imminent series of three one-day internationals and two Tests, despite the beating that they have taken from South Africa. West Indies were thrashed 2-0 in the Tests and 5-0 in the one-day series.

"I think they have played against a strong South African team, but I think they are rebuilding, and they will be tough opposition," Woolmer said. "It is important for us to be geared up and hit the road running in the series because it is so short. Fortunately, all the players have been playing a lot of cricket, so it is not necessary from a practice point of view.

"It is just a matter of adjusting slightly to the pitches. I think they are going to be the same. After our performance in India, it is important that we build on this. We can't sit on it. We have got to put that away. We have got to get stuck into this series."

Woolmer disclosed that Pakistan had taken a keen interest in the recently concluded series between West Indies and South Africa. "We have watched every game," Woolmer said. "South Africa have a different side to us. They rely very much on their pace attack. We have a very good spin attack. It is not to say we haven't got a good seam attack. We don't have the super pace, but we have players who bowl up there - 145 kph, 148 kph, so they are not slow. They are all good cricketers. We have some exciting young batsmen, and so we are really looking forward to the tour."

Pakistan opened their tour with a limited-overs warm-up match against an Antigua and Barbuda Select XI on Sunday and won convincingly by 248 runs. Woolmer also expected Brian Lara to be a factor in the series. "He is a world class player, so if he plays spin well someone will have to try and get him out," he said. "But we have noticed some very good performances from the other players. We don't underestimate the West Indies side at all."

Woolmer also revealed that Pakistan would be using this tour, especially their visit to Jamaica for the second Test, to prepare themselves for the 2007 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean. "We will be based in Jamaica [with West Indies] for the World Cup, and so being in Jamaica for the last Test match will be a good experience for us," he said. "We will be able to see the facilities, and have a look to see what we need to do in that particular scenario."