Upbeat Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said his team are confident of winning a series in the West Indies for the first time as they flew out to the Caribbean early on Wednesday.
”Playing in the West Indies is a great challenge, but I am confident that this team has the talent and the determination to register Pakistan’s first-ever series win there,” he said before the 17-member squad’s departure for Antigua.
Pakistan are on a high after their successful tour of India where they squared a three-match Test series 1-1 and won a six-match one-day series 4-2. But 35-year-old Inzamam said his team realise they have to look forward.
”India was great and we can only take motivation from that; the rest is history now. The West Indies is a new place and a new series and everyone is gearing up for that,” said Inzamam, whose side play three one-dayers and two Tests on the tour.
Pakistan open the tour with a limited-overs practice match on May 15 in Antigua before playing the first one-day international at St Vincent on May 18.
Inzamam warned that the West Indies, despite their poor recent showing against South Africa, can still pose a big threat.
”We realise that the West Indies can be dangerous, especially on their grounds with quality players led by Brian Lara, so we will take them seriously,” said Inzamam, who will miss the first Test because of a ban for showing dissent in the last India Test.
”This could be the first win if we play to our potential,” said Inzamam, adding that leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who took 19 wickets in the India Tests, is his team’s trump card.
”We will miss Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami [both missing due to injuries], but I don’t think our bowling is weak,” the skipper added.
”We would miss Sami because he bowled well in India, but his place has gone to Shabbir Ahmed, who has fully recovered and is determined to make his mark.”
Pakistan’s best result to date in the West Indies came in 1988 when, under the legendary Imran Khan, they drew a three-match Test series 1-1.
”It would need a team effort, just like we had in India, to bring the best-ever result in the Caribbean,” said Inzamam.
Inzamam also praised English coach Bob Woolmer’s influence on the team.
”Woolmer’s influence is very positive. He has an affectionate relationship with the boys and we would love to celebrate his first anniversary as coach with a series win,” said Inzamam.
Woolmer, a former England batsman and an ex-South Africa coach, joined Pakistan in June last year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said leading all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will travel two days later than the rest of the squad because of family issues. — Sapa-AFP
Tour programme
May 15: Limited-overs practice match at St John’s — Antigua
May 18: First one-day international at St Vincent
May 21: Second one-day international at St Lucia
May 22: Third one-day international at St Lucia
May 26 to 30: First Test in Barbados
June 3 to 7: Second Test in Jamaica