Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq holds the Cricket World Cup Trophy during a news conference in Montego Bay yesterday. - Reuters

Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

FLORENCE HALL:

Pakistan have had their fair share of problems heading into this ICC WI Cricket World Cup tournament and even though he concedes they have a difficult start against hosts West Indies, skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq is targeting a tournament victory to crown his leadership.

The Asian team will open its quest tomorrow against the Windies in the tournament's opening game at Sabina Park and looking towards that clash, Inzamam said they will give their ultimate effort.

"Pakistan will try its best and, of course, it's not easy to defeat the West Indies in the West Indies," he told journalists at press conference of captains at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Rose Hall, St. James, yesterday morning.

Commenting on the way his responsibilities have changed since taking up the reins, the Pakistan captain noted additional responsibilities.

"When I just started, I was a young player in 1992 and there weren't many responsibilities on me, but today I'm the captain and there's, of course, a lot more responsibilities.

"Today, I see that when I'm nearing the end of my cricketing career, I'd like to feel that my responsibility lies in the way that I try and win this Cup for Pakistan."

Team members missing

His team will play the tournament without three of its most influential members, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and its two front-line bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, both to injuries, but Inzamam says they are prepared.

"There have been problems in the Pakistan team as far as injuries and some situations are concerned, but the Pakistan team is certainly looking forward to this World Cup. The team is very well prepared," he said.

"Pakistan have played before without these two bowlers and, of course, Asif has been in this Pakistan team for only a year. It's a loss but Pakistan have enough good players to do well in this tournament."

Continuing, he added: "We've had the practice, all the players have had practice, the bowlers have had their share as well as the batsmen and we're all geared up for this World Cup."

Concerning issues that his team's batting was inexperienced, Inzamam said: "The middle order is inexperienced but we'll manage with the players who we have anyway because they're experienced as far as one-day cricket is concerned."

Their main batting should come from the vastly experienced trio including himself, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, along with Salim Malik who has been batting deeper in the middle order in recent times.

Tournament favourites

The burly middle-order batsman noted that despite recent defeats and consequential surrender of the number one ODI team ranking, Australia remained tournament favourites.

"Any team can win the Cup but Australia, if you look at their record for the past 10 years, I would still call them the favourites," Inzamam noted.

For that to happen, he says adaptation is key.

"Basically it's up to the team which plays well on the day and, of course, there will be advantages and disadvantages but it's the team which comes out best on the day."

Besides the West Indies, Associate team Ireland and Zimbabwe are the other Group D members. Ul-Haq says despite the status of the other two, they should not be taken for granted.

"One-day cricket is a game anything can happen and of course with Ireland nobody looks at them in an underestimating manner. "

A number of senior cricketers have announced that they will retire from the one-day game following the tournament but Inzamam says he's not ready for that.

"I'll continue to play as long as I feel I can give the performance and there is no deadline for any player to end their career, as long as the player continues to do well for his country."