Finals will be played out to the fullest

St. George's - Against common practice, the three-match finals of the Caribbean's first-ever triangular limited-overs competition will be played out to the fullest even if the champions are determined after the first two matches.

It breaks with the example used in Australia's annual World Series Cup in which the third final is only contested if neither side has won after the first two matches.

The Playing Conditions of the tournament here featuring West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe clearly emphasised the difference by printing the applicable rule in bold type.

"Both teams must play all three matches in the finals except where a game is cancelled or rained out," said a note at the end of Rule 12.

Points will be allocated for each of the three finals and the team with the most points will be declared champions. Two points are awarded for a win, none for a loss and one for a tie or a no-result.

The playing conditions also make provision in the event that there is no identifiable winner.

"Should there be an equality of points at the end of the three matches, the team with the higher net run-rate will be declared champions.

"Please note that the net run-rate will be calculated only for those matches played in the finals."

Statistics from matches that fail to produce a result will not be applied in calculating net run-rates.

The first of the finals between West Indies and Pakistan is set for tomorrow at Kensington Oval and the other two will be played at the Queen's Park Oval on Saturday and Sunday.

On the basis of successive victories over Pakistan at Arnos Vale and the Queen's Park Stadium, West Indies will hold a psychological advantage over their unpredictable opponents.

But, as captain Jimmy Adams has stressed time and again, there is still more work to be done in spite of their six-match winning streak this season.

"I don't think we have started to play as well as we can. We can still improve on our bowling, our batting and our fielding. We can still improve, and I say that very seriously," Adams said after Sunday's hard-fought victory by 17 runs.

"As we go along, we'll assess every game. We'll look at what we could have done and target areas.

"I don't think we are at a point yet where we can sit back and say we're fully satisfied."

Coach Roger Harper believes team unity has keen a key factor in the overall success.

"The guys are obviously working very hard for each other. Team work is the main reason why we are doing so well," he said.

"I think the guys are committed to working hard. They are committed to making a difference and they are just enjoying it."

Pakistan, recent winners of the Sharjah Champions Trophy, are not downspirited.

"We are planning. We have some new strategies and we are going to stick to that," said captain Moin Khan.

"I'm very positive and the team is very positive. I'm very much confident that we can win the finals."

Coach Javed Miandad was especially satisfied that key batsman Yousaf Youhana showed a return to some of his best form in an innings of 56 on Sunday.