Cable and Wireless ODIs: West Indies start favourites against Pakistan

Bridgetown (Barbados), April 18: West Indies, boosted by their domination in the preliminary round, will start favourites in the first of the best-of-three finals of the triangular one-day series tomorrow (Wednesday) against Pakistan at the Kensington Oval.

Their victories over Zimbabwe and against Pakistan keep West Indies psychologically in a good frame of mind. They will also be backed by a vociferous and partisan crowd which seems to cheer for the home team only, no matter how well the visitors play.

A packed house of near about 13,000 will watch Pakistan make of a game of it. The remaining finals are scheduled to be played at Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain at the weekend.

West Indies are certain to include their star bowler Curtly Ambrose in their line-up instead of Nixon McLean. Their batting will revolve round Philo Wallace, Sherwin Campbell, Wavell Hinds, skipper Jimmy Adams, Chris Gayle and Ricardo Powell, who made a blistering 50 off 36 balls in the last league tie against Pakistan at St George's on Sunday.

Pakistan performed well below expectations on Sunday after playing Mohammad Wasim, Wajahatullah Wasti and Irfan Fazil, who all failed. In that context, Pakistan are sure to recall Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Wasim Akram for the opening final. They also may rely on the spin of Arshad Khan instead of Saqlain Mushtaq, who will be suffering from the jet-lag.

Pakistan are desperately in need of a win over West Indies and this match could be the one which lead them into next two finals with certain amount of confidence. Pakistan captain Moin Khan is confident that despite their poor showing against West Indies in preliminary matches they may yet reverse the situation. "We have not really batted well in the one-day games, our opening combination has let us down. If we get a good start we may make a sizeable score. The wicket at Bridgetown seems to be a batting track and I hope our batsmen take full advantage of it," said Moin.

Reuters adds: West Indies have called up Guyanese leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo for the finals. Uncapped Nagamootoo, 24, who is also a useful left-hand batsman, replaces off-spinner Nehemiah Perry in the 14-man squad.

Pakistan: Moin Khan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed, Arshad Khan, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq.

West Indies: Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Philo Wallace, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs, Franklyn Rose, Curtly Ambrose, Nixon McLean, Reon King, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Laurie Williams, Sylvester Joseph.