Pakistan in West Indies: A testing time

Sunk by the deluge in Guyana and overshadowed by several distractions, the Cable & Wireless series between Pakistan and the West Indies seeks a belated kickstart in the second Test, starting at Kensington Oval today.

After passing the initial trial in two Tests against limited Zimbabwe and performing creditably in the triangular One-Day tournament in the first part of this international season, the West Indies anticipated a genuine examination of their revitalised spirit from the potentially powerful Pakistanis.

It is yet to materialise.

The first Test in Georgetown was so spoiled by rain that not a ball was bowled on the last two days and not even first innings lead decided.

In the ten days since play was abandoned at Bourda, attention has switched to matters unrelated to the business at hand but of considerable long-term significance.

The names of Qayyum, Shoaib, Lara, Rousseau and Lequay, none of whom have been directly involved in the series, have figured more prominently in the public consciousness than any participating player's.

Even though the only sightings of him in the past three months have been playing either golf or 'mas, rather than cricket, Brian Lara has once more managed to command the headlines.

The confusion over whether or not the former captain and batting maestro would return to the team for the imminent England tour was a diversion the West Indies could have done without.

Nor has the political intrigue that surrounded Pat Rousseau's re-election as president over Alloy Lequay at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) annual general meeting last Friday done any credit to West Indies cricket.

For all their part, and for all their outward chirpiness, the Pakistanis' attention has been rivetted by daily reports from home on the likely contents of Judge Malik Qayyum's long-awaited, soon to be released inquiry into match-fixing.

Two of their most eminent players, the former captain Wasim Akram and the leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, are said to be facing severe penalties.

They might find it difficult concentrating on the match, knowing that it could be their last.

For entirely different reasons, Shaoib Akhtar's immediate future is also shrouded in doubt.

The pacy Rawalpindi Express, clocked as the fastest bowler at present a few weeks before arriving in the Caribbean, brought with him an awesome reputation.

A side strain, and heaven knows what else, has restricted him to a mere seven overs in one One-Day international so far.

Pakistan's problems were accentuated over the weekend at the same Kensington Oval where the Test is to be played.

After leading by 186 on first innings, they went down to the West Indies `A' team by 65 runs.

West Indies: Jimmy Adams (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Wavell Hinds, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ridley Jacobs, Nixon McLean, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Reon King. Rerserves: Chris Gayle, Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Pakistan (likely): Moin Khan (captain), Mohammad Wasim, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhanna, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis or Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Musthaq, Mushtaq Ahmed.

Umpires: Eddie Nicholls (West Indies), Rudi Koertzen (South Africa).

TV replays: Halley Moore (West Indies).