Pakistan go into second final with an edge

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.