Port-Of-Spain (Trinidad), April 21: A rejuvenated Pakistan, boosted
their 17-run victory on Wednesday, take on West Indies in the second
of the three finals of the triangular series at the picturesque
Queen's Park Oval here tomorrow (Saturday).
Psychologically, Pakistan have a slight edge over the home team after
their triumph in the opening final at Bridgetown.
Another victory will not only ensure them the coveted trophy and the
winners' cheque but it will make the third final a futile exercise as
far as the West Indies are concerned.
Pakistan's victory on Wednesday has given them the kind of fillip that
they badly needed after their drubbing in two preliminary matches
against the West Indies.
In the first final, Pakistan were able to put up a fighting display
even after being restricted to only 197 runs in 50 overs. The bowlers
performed superbly to defend that total with accuracy and aggression
that was missing in the previous matches.
Wasim Akram, the Man-of-the-Match in that encounter not only slammed a
much needed 42 but also bowled splendidly, albeit without luck, along
with the likes of Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Abdur Razzaq and Shahid
Afridi.
The Queen's Park Oval pitch will suit the Pakistan attack. It does not
have any grass on it and is giving a look of a plate which has been
well polished. It is highly unlikely that Pakistan will make changes
but if they do they might include off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for
Arshad Khan.
Pakistan captain Moin Khan was naturally delighted with
Wednesday's. "We played positive cricket in the first match and bowled
as was expected, especially Wasim Akram giving away only six runs in
his first spell was a big bonus for us. We hope that we carry our
winning form into the second match."
The West Indies, on the other hand, now will have to win both the
finals to win the tournament which will only be possible if their
rather weak batting line-up is able to sustain the pressure of the
Pakistan bowling.
Jimmy Adams, the West Indian captain, called on Friday for improvement
from his side. "We will have to have lot of improvement in our batting
to tackle the Pakistan bowling which in the first final frustrated our
designs of remaining unbeaten. We did not play up to our full
potential. There is lot of room for improvement."
Teams (from):
Pakistan: Moin Khan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Younis
Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram,
Mushtaq Ahmed, Arshad Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib
Akhtar.
West Indies: Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Philo Wallace,
Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Ridley Jacobs, Sylvester Joseph, Curtly
Ambrose, Reon King, Nixon McLean, Laurie Williams, Ricardo Powell.
Umpires: Eddie Nicholls and Billy Doctrove.
TV umpire: Clyde Cumberbatch.
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle.