Pakistan hold the edge

West Indies showed they are side on the up, in one-day cricket at least, by reaching the final of the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this month but they face a much tougher task as they go to Pakistan for a three-Test series, starting on Saturday with the first Test in Lahore.

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Pakistan have plenty of problems themselves with the bans for Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif but they are still favourites at 8/13 (1.62) with bet365. West Indies are 9/2 (5.50) while the draw is a 9/4 (3.25) chance.

The demise of West Indies cricket is well documented and their record in recent times is pretty woeful. They have won just one of their past 20 Tests, losing 13 and drawing six. Away from home, it's actually slightly better with three wins and 14 losses, but they have not won a series of note (three Tests or more) away from the Caribbean since their 2-1 win over Australia in 1992-1993.

That was a side that still had plenty of teeth with the likes of Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop tearing in. This time, they will be relying mainly on their batsmen to get them in position to put some pressure on Pakistan. With Brian Lara still a considerable force, they have the class, with the captain backed up by an in-form Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan and the likes of Dwayne Bravo down the order who can chip in with useful runs.

The bowling is also improving with Corey Collymore joined by Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor, with the spin of Dave Mohammed a potential bonus on the dry pitches in Pakistan.

The home side will welcome back captain Inzamam-ul-Haq from his ban over the ball-tampering affair and have plenty of talent in their ranks, even if their bowling may be reliant on Danish Kaneria in the absence of the two quicks. The West Indians are not normally the best players of spin (Lara apart) and Kaneria has had plenty of success against them in the past.

Top men
Yousuf Mohammad tops the betting to be top Pakistan scorer at 11/4 (3.75) while Younis Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq are both 3/1 (4.00). Behind them, Mohammad Hafeez is 7/1 (8.00) with Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed both 8/1 (9.00) and Shoaib Malik a 10/1 (11.00) chance.

For West Indies, Lara tops the list at 2/1 (3.00) with Gayle close behind at 3/1 (4.00) and Sarwan 9/2 (5.50). Chanderpaul is 5/1 (6.00) and Daren Ganga 15/2 (8.50), while Runako Morton and Bravo are both 11/1 (12.00).

Pakistan were last beaten at home in 2004, by India, and have since beaten India and England. The conditions are tough for touring sides and they still have the advantage, thanks mainly to their batsmen and the spin of Kaneria.

Their may only be one match in this one, and Pakistan get the nod at 8/13 (1.62) for the series, with a 1-0 correct score the preferred choice, at 10/3 (4.33).

West Indies are definitely on the up and Lahore is traditionally a venue that rarely produces a result - there have been 20 draws in the 37 Tests there. If there is an advantage it is for the team batting second as they have won 11 of the 14 matches to have been a result.

Cambers' Call:
Pakistan to win the series 8/13 (1.62) Pakistan to win series 1-0 at 10/3 (4.33) First Test to be drawn 8/11 (1.72)

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.