'We will be coming out in Karachi firing on all cylinders'
When Pakistan and the West Indies meet next, after the final ODI at Karachi tomorrow, it will be for the opening game of the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica in just under three months time
Osman Samiuddin in Karachi
15-Dec-2006
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When Pakistan and the West Indies meet next, after the final ODI at Karachi tomorrow, it will be for the opening game of the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica in just under three months time. Signs emerged at Multan during the last ODI that cricket's premier tournament is looming on the minds of both sides, as line-ups were changed, experiments made and players tested.
Pakistan went about the experiments with greater zeal, though ultimately
paying the price for them and it is unlikely, injuries permitting, that they
will do so again with the same gusto. "We experimented in Multan and we
felt that it was right to do it then as opposed to in the final game,"
said Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, at the National Stadium.
Their batting struggled in Multan, though they were, for various reasons,
without their immense middle order trio of Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq and
Mohammad Yousuf for the first time since 2004. The captain is "98%
certain" to play tomorrow, having almost fully recovered from a finger
injury. Yousuf is in Karachi and also likely to play, as is Abdur Rahman,
who has been so impressive in the two games that he has played so far.
Woolmer insisted that there were still some positives to be drawn.
"We were without our middle three in Multan and the loss was disappointing
but we can take positives from that in Yasir Hameed's batting and Mohammad
Sami as well," Woolmer explained. "We have learnt a lot from that game and
will be coming out in Karachi firing on all cylinders."
His opposite number, Bennett King, will no doubt hope his side does the
same and a drawn series here will nicely bookend a long, arduous
three-month road trip from which some light has emerged.
"We made the final of two big competitions and only
lost to a high-quality side on each occasion. So as far as ODIs are
concerned, the results are very encouraging," King told reporters.
And the medium-term implications of a good finish are not lost on him. "It
is important that we finish the series on a good note with Pakistan being
in our World Cup pool. From our perspective, when we played Pakistan at
home to where we are now, there has been a lot of improvement. We are
a dangerous force in ODI cricket. We found some good form the other night in
Multan and we're looking forward to this match."
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose return to the top of the order proved so
crucial then, is fit to play despite struggling at various points through
his innings but Jerome Taylor's inclusion, after being rested at Multan,
is not as certain as might be expected from a bowler who has made such an
impression. "We'll see how Jerome pulls up in the morning. In the
subcontinent, with illnesses and injuries, it's a day-to-day thing. We're
pretty sure of what side will play but we'll see. The wicket looks pretty
flat and there isn't as much moisture to help the fast bowlers. We're
looking forward to it and will pick the best side for the match."
Much of the talk of both men though was geared towards forthcoming
challenges. Pakistan head off to South Africa for a full series in January
and the West Indies to India for a series of one-day internationals in the
same month. Soon after that comes the face-off at Sabina Park. In which
case, tomorrow becomes the first of numerous dress rehearsals for the real
thing.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo